title: Carry-over effect on IFN-gamma production induced by allergen-specific immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis is characterized by Th2 polarization and defective IFN-gamma production. Specific immunotherapy determines an allergen-specific clinical improvement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was to evaluate whether a course of pre-seasonal SLIT with pollen allergen extract might affect the in vitro IFN-gamma production using Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) allergen as stimulus, in patients presenting with rhinitis due to pollen allergy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine AR patients with pollen allergy were included in the study. They assumed pre-seasonal SLIT for 3 months. IFN-gamma-specific producing cells were assessed by cytokine ELISPOT before and 3 months after the SLIT course end.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SLIT provided a significant increase of both pollen-induced and Df-induced IFN-gamma production (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides evidence that though the defective IFN-gamma production is allergen-specific in allergic subjects, the SLIT increasing effects on IFN-gamma may be non-specific.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine-CEBR, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sormani
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filaci
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fenoglio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D007371:Interferon-gamma