The role of interleukin 10 in the regulation of allergic immune responses.
Several clinical studies and animal models have shown that Th2 lymphocytes play a key role in the pathophysiology of IgE-mediated allergic immune responses like allergic rhinitis and asthma or venom anaphylaxis. Classical specific immunotherapy (SIT) that has been proven to be clinically effective can serve as a role model for immunological changes that are associated with amelioration of allergic diseases. During SIT, the Th2-dominated immune response is modified towards a Th1 response leading to a decline in allergen-specific IgE and an increase in allergen-specific IgG production. Most importantly, however, production of the immunosuppressive/-regulatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) is also induced leading to T cell tolerance and prevention of tissue inflammation. In this article the role of IL-10-producing T cells in the regulation of allergic immune responses will be discussed.
Bellinghausen
I
I
Department of Dermatology, Collaborative Research Group in Allergy and Autoimmunity, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Knop
J
J
Saloga
J
J
D017635:Clonal Anergy / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016753:Interleukin-10