Immunological changes associated with a successful outcome of pollen immunotherapy.
Changes in immunological measurements thought to be important in the mechanism of immunotherapy for hay fever were related to objective measurements of treatment outcome. Antigen-specific IgE and IgG, and T suppressor cell status, using monoclonal antibodies and a specific functional assay, were measured before and after immunotherapy. Treatment outcome was assessed using nasal and conjunctival challenge tests. Seventeen subjects received immunotherapy for 6 months. Nine showed a decrease in nasal and/or conjunctival sensitivity, compared with 2 of 13 control subjects (P less than 0.05). Subjects responding to immunotherapy had a significantly higher post treatment IgE level and a higher pre- and post-treatment IgG level than non-responders and controls. Immunotherapy had no effect on suppressor cell status.
Fennerty
A G
AG
Asthma Research Unit, Sully Hospital, South Glamorgan, Wales.
Jones
K P
KP
Davies
B H
BH
Fifield
R
R
Edwards
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E