Increased expression of osteopontin is associated with long-term bee venom immunotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Venom allergen immunotherapy (VIT) is proven to be highly effective for insect allergy, but the mechanisms and the biomarkers associated with clinical efficacy remain elusive.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify candidate biomarkers associated with successful VIT.


METHODS
Gene chip array and clustering analyses of PBMCs from subjects with or without VIT were performed.


RESULTS
From gene chip array and clustering analyses, an increased expression of osteopontin was found in patients who completed 5 to 6 years of VIT and discontinued therapy for 3 to 6 years (completed treatment group) compared with the untreated group. A significantly higher level of serum osteopontin was found in the completed treatment group compared with the untreated group (n = 16 in each group; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The upregulation of osteopontin after VIT suggests a role of osteopontin as a candidate biomarker for VIT.
Konno
Satoshi
S
Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center,Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Golden
David B K
DB
Schroeder
John
J
Hamilton
Robert G
RG
Lichtenstein
Lawrence M
LM
Huang
Shau-Ku
SK
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D053495:Osteopontin; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014688:Venoms / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D014688:Venoms; D053495:Osteopontin; D012313:RNA