Sublingual immunotherapy: an update on immunologic and functional effects.
Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment capable of modifying the natural history of the allergic subjects. Several aspects of the immunopathological response modified by sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) 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 may appear after SLIT. A shift from Th2-polarized immune response toward Th1-oriented pattern has been reported after SLIT. More recently, a crucial role for a subpopulation of T cells has been evidenced: T regulatory (T-reg.) cells. Allergic patients have a defect of T-reg cells. SLIT should be able to induce a specific T-reg. response. SLIT is an alternative route of administration for SIT. Recent evidence shows that SLIT is also able to induce a T-reg. response as detected by IL-10 production.
Ciprandi
Giorgio
G
University Hospital San Martino, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Fenoglio
Daniela
D
Cirillo
Ignazio
I
Tosca
Mariangela A
MA
La Rosa
Mario
M
Licari
Amelia
A
Marseglia
Alessia
A
Barberi
Salvatore
S
Marseglia
Gian Luigi
GL
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000628:therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000628:therapy; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007073:Immunoglobulin E