title: Allergen-specific immunotherapy: an update on immunological mechanisms of action.
abstract: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment able to modify the natural history of the allergic subjects. Several aspects of the immunopathological response modified by SIT have been investigated; the first parameter historically studied was the production of allergen-specific antibodies. An increase of allergen-specific IgG4 and a decrease of IgE appear after SIT. A shift from Th2-polarized immune response toward Th1-oriented pattern has been reported after SIT. More recently, a crucial role for a subpopulation of T cells has been evidenced: T regulatory cells (Treg). Allergic patients have a defect of Tregs. SIT is able of inducing a specific Treg response. Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative route of administration for SIT. Recent evidence shows that SLIT is also able of inducing a Treg response as detected by IL-10 production.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Patologie Testa-Collo, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "San Martino", Genova, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tosca
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E