title: Basophil interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 production is suppressed during the early phase of rush immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies using rush immunotherapy (RIT) have shown that rapid protection can be achieved using protocols allowing a fast increment of allergen dose. We examined the early effects of RIT on basophil numbers and expression of CD203c, production of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 and histamine release by basophils in the peripheral blood of patients treated with immunotherapy and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients treated with RIT and 4 untreated controls were included in the study. Any adverse events were evaluated during the incremental phase of RIT. Mononuclear cells were isolated before the start of RIT and 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment. Histamine release upon allergen stimulation, expression of CD203c and allergen-induced production of IL-4 and IL-13 by basophils were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreases in blood basophil count (p = 0.02) were observed early in the treatment, returning to baseline values 1 week after the start of RIT. Similarly, histamine release decreased at day 3 (p = 0.02), but returned to pretreatment levels after 1 week. Also, the percentage of IL-4+ and IL-13+ basophils and levels of CD203c expression were markedly reduced early in the treatment. IL-4 and IL-13 production correlated with histamine release and CD203c expression. Histamine release and production of IL-4 and IL-13 by basophils before the treatment correlated with the severity of adverse events during the incremental phase of RIT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report the decrease in blood basophil numbers, their lower activation status and the reduced production of IL-4 and IL-13 early in the course of RIT. This early suppression of basophil activation could be one mechanism behind the protective effect of RIT.
authors.affiliation: Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plewako
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wosińska
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arvidsson
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bjorkander
authors.forename: Per Stahl
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Håkansson
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006636:Histamine Release; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000032:analysis; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: C427944:ENPP3 protein, human; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015847:Interleukin-4; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D011755:Pyrophosphatases