New insights into the mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Specific immunotherapy represents the only curative treatment of a specific allergy, and is therefore of great interest in terms of immunological mechanisms and therapeutic developments.


RESULTS
Allergen-specific regulatory T cells are induced after the initiation of specific immunotherapy, and are assumed to suppress effector T cells directly mediating allergic inflammation. Therefore regulatory T cells may play a key role in the re-induction of allergen tolerance. Multiple pathways in many systems are described to promote or enhance regulatory T cells. This review summarizes the current view on immunological mechanisms leading to and coming from regulatory T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The highlighted mechanisms may not only contribute to improved specific immunotherapy, but also give insight into a clinically relevant therapy targeting regulatory T cells. The approach of addressing endogenous regulatory mechanisms specifically controlling inflammation instead of targeting inflammation itself is relevant for future pharmacological developments.
Schmidt-Weber
Carsten B
CB
Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos, Switzerland. csweber@siaf.unizh.ch
Blaser
Kurt
K
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors