Modulation of T-cell functions by laser surgery in patients with allergic rhinitis.
OBJECTIVE
Potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser turbinectomy is an established treatment for hypertrophied inferior turbinates that do not respond to other medical treatments. KTP laser surgery is usually performed with the aim of reducing the size of hypertrophied inferior turbinates. We hypothesized that laser vaporation may also inhibit the allergic reaction in the nasal mucosa of inferior turbinates.


METHODS
We examined the effect of KTP laser therapy on T-cell responses using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).


RESULTS
Levels of T-cell proliferation after stimulation with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) were higher in post- than pre-surgery patients. Levels of interferon-gamma and IL-2 produced by PBMCs after stimulation with SEB appeared to be higher in post- than pre-surgery patients. Serum levels of house dust-specific IgE were lower in post- than pre-surgery patients. These results indicate that KTP laser therapy modulates T-cell responses and probably tilts the Th1/Th2 balance towards the Th1-dominant state.


CONCLUSIONS
KTP laser surgery eases or cures allergic rhinitis not only by reducing the volume of the inferior turbinates but also by modulating T-cell functions.
Mori
Katsumi
K
Department of Otolaryngology and Sensory Organ Surgery, Osaka University School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Tamura
Manabu
M
Kawamoto
Masahiro
M
Shikina
Takashi
T
Asada
Hideo
H
Itami
Satoshi
S
Kurane
Ichiro
I
Kubo
Takeshi
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*
D016207:Cytokines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E