[An experimental study on the regulation of expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines by allergen vaccine atomization inhalation in patients with asthma].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of specific immunotherapy treatment (SIT) with allergen vaccine (AV) atomization inhalation in regulation of the expression of Th1/Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IL-4) by T lymphocyte and serum IgE level in asthmas.


METHODS
Ninety cases with asthma in remission were randomly divided into three groups and each group contained thirty patients who received SIT respectively with atomization inhalation (A group), sublingual contained (B group) and hypodermic injection (C group). 32 healthy subjects were as control group. Before and after treatment, the expression of IL-2 and IL-4, total IgE level were measured by radio-immune. The three SIT treatments were evaluated.


RESULTS
Before SIT treatment, compared with the normal control group, the patients' serum level of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and total IgE had significantly increased, the level of Th1 cytokines IL-2 had significantly reduced. There were statistical significance between the asthma and normal control (t = 4.869, 5.598, 10.009, P < 0.01). After 12 months SIT treatment, the patients' serum IL-2 showed increased, the serum IL-4 and total IgE showed reduced, the difference was statistical significant (t = 7.303, 2.494, 2.225, P < 0.05). There was good positive correlation between the level of IL-4 and the total IgE (r = 0.264, P < 0.01), there was good negative correlation between the level of IL-2 and the total IgE (r = -0.369, P < 0.001), and there was good negative correlation between the level of IL-2 and IL-4 (r = -0.277, P < 0.01). The effects among A, B, C groups were similar (all were over 86%), without statistical significance (chi2 = 0.055, P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The specific response to antigen may be transferred from Th2 to Th1 by SIT with AV atomization inhalation, and mediated between balance of Th1/Th2 in patients with asthma. This method is thought a direct influence on the target organ. It is safe, simple and valid and can be easily accepted by sufferers.
Cheng
Zhiying
Z
Department of Allergy, the Sixth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, 430015, China. chengzhiying1955@yahoo.com
Wang
Xin
X
Wang
Guohong
G
Shu
Chang
C
Cheng
Yihua
Y
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000485:Allergens; C508594:IL2 protein, human; C508598:IL4 protein, human; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014612:Vaccines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E