Peripheral Th-17 cells in allergic rhinitis: New evidence.
BACKGROUND
Th17 is a subset of T helper lymphocytes exerting inflammatory activities. Recently, it has been reported that serum IL-17 levels are high in patients with severe birch allergy.


OBJECTIVE
It was to compare the cytokine profile and the frequency of peripheral allergen-specific T helper producing IL-17 in patients with allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Twelve patients with persistent allergic rhinitis due to pollens and 5 healthy non-allergic subjects were evaluated during the pollen season. Th17 were evaluated by intracellular staining in T cell compartment ex-vivo and after short activation by allergens and control antigens.


RESULTS
Ex-vivo PBMNC evaluation showed that allergic patients had higher frequencies of IL-17 producing T cells. Functional analysis after antigen-specific CD4+ T cell expansion demonstrated that allergic patients had higher frequencies of IL-17 producing T cells than normal subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study contributes to the knowledge concerning the possible role of Th-17 cells in the response to allergens.
Ciprandi
Giorgio
G
Department of Internal Medicine - C.E.B.R., University of Genoa, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Filaci
Gilberto
G
Battaglia
Florinda
F
Fenoglio
Daniela
D
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D029662:Betula / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D032403:Parietaria / Q000276:immunology; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D020381:Interleukin-17