F M Lu1, C C Chou, B L Chiang, K H Hsieh. 1. Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic diseases has increased in recent years. Immunotherapy with allergens is a treatment documented to have an effect on regulating cytokine production and allergen-specific antibody production. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to further investigate immunologic changes during immunotherapy and to explore the possible more efficient approach of immunotherapy. METHODS: Asthmatic children receiving house dust mite immunotherapy were followed to learn immunologic parameters such as allergen-specific antibody levels, proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and cytokine change during immunotherapy. RESULTS: The data suggested (1) IgG4 anti-mite antibody increased 8 months after immunotherapy while IgE antibody level remained the same; (2) allergen-induced, in vitro production of certain cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 decreased after immunotherapy; (3) IL-13 (which can induce IgG4 and IgE antibody production by B cells) increased after immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Although this needs more study, IL-13 might play an important role in the generation of IgG4-blocking antibody during immunotherapy.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic diseases has increased in recent years. Immunotherapy with allergens is a treatment documented to have an effect on regulating cytokine production and allergen-specific antibody production. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to further investigate immunologic changes during immunotherapy and to explore the possible more efficient approach of immunotherapy. METHODS: Asthmatic children receiving house dust mite immunotherapy were followed to learn immunologic parameters such as allergen-specific antibody levels, proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and cytokine change during immunotherapy. RESULTS: The data suggested (1) IgG4 anti-mite antibody increased 8 months after immunotherapy while IgE antibody level remained the same; (2) allergen-induced, in vitro production of certain cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 decreased after immunotherapy; (3) IL-13 (which can induce IgG4 and IgE antibody production by B cells) increased after immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Although this needs more study, IL-13 might play an important role in the generation of IgG4-blocking antibody during immunotherapy.
Authors: Petra A Wachholz; Kayhan T Nouri-Aria; Duncan R Wilson; Samantha M Walker; Adrienne Verhoef; Stephen J Till; Stephen R Durham Journal: Immunology Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 7.397