title: Shift from Th2 to Th1 response in immunotherapy with venoms.
abstract: Cytokines released from T lymphocytes regulate antibody production by B lymphocytes and releasability of mast cells and basophils. Immune tolerance in specific allergen (Ag) immunotherapy (SIT) might be a consequence of decreased Th2 or increased Th1 response of Ag specific T lymphocytes. We compared function of T lymphocytes in 11 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy and in 7 healthy volunteers. We followed function of T lymphocytes in 6 patients during SIT. We measured released IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5 from Ag and mitogens (either with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin or anti-CD3 antibodies) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). After stimulation with Ag PBMC of patients released 86 +/- 133 pg/ml IFN-gamma and 19.7 +/- 20.1 pg/ml IL-4 (Th2 response), PBMCs of healthy controls released 184 +/- 116 pg/ml IFN-gamma and 4.8 +/- 8 pg/ml IL-4 (Th1 response). Spontaneous release of IFN-gamma in cultures of PBMC of patients increased after rush SIT (before: 25 +/- 31 pg/ml, after 241 +/- 281 pg/ml, p<0.05). After 6 months of SIT response of PBMCs of patients became similar to response of PBMCs of healthy controls. Time pattern of cytokines secreted from PBMCs after stimulation with PMA and ionomycin was different than after stimulation through T-cell receptor/CD3 complex.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Slovenia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosnik
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wraber
mesh_terms: D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D012016:Reference Values; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D016207:Cytokines; D014862:Wasp Venoms