T-cell tolerance to inhaled allergens: mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.
BACKGROUND
Specific immune response to allergens is decisive in the development of clinically healthy or allergic states.


OBJECTIVE
Recent developments in the mechanisms of allergen-specific peripheral tolerance can be used for future treatment modalities.


METHODS
This review focuses on recent developments in allergen tolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
The balance between allergen-specific IL-10-secreting T regulatory cells (Tr1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells appears to be decisive in the development of allergic and healthy immune response against allergens. Induction of IL-10- and TGF-beta-producing Tr1 cells, IgG4-isotype-blocking antibodies, and suppressed mast cells, basophils and eosinophils represent major components of a relatively normalized immune response after allergen-specific immunotherapy and healthy immune response to aeroallergens in sensitized individuals.
Akdis
Mübeccel
M
Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Obere Strasse 22, CH-7270 Davos, Switzerland. akdism@siaf.unizh.ch
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D006636:Histamine Release; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D037182:T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D000485:Allergens; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10