title: Sublingual immunotherapy affects specific antibody and TGF-beta serum levels in patients with allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by Th2 polarized immune response, such as increased IL-4 and reduced IFN-gamma production. Sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy (SLIT) induces several immunological changes, most of which are still little known. The aim of this study is firstly to investigate the changes of allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA serum levels after SLIT. Secondly, this study aims at relating immunoglobulin (Ig) values with some Th1-, Th2-, and Treg-dependent cytokines. Twenty-three patients with pollen-induced AR were enrolled, and they assumed two pre-seasonal SLIT courses for 2 years. Serum allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4 and IgA levels were determined by ELISA method at baseline and after each SLIT course. Serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-10, and TGF-beta levels were also assessed. Allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA serum levels significantly increased after SLIT. Serum TGF-beta significantly increased after SLIT. There was a significant correlation between IgA and TGF-beta, both after the first and the second SLIT course. In conclusion, the present study provides the first evidence that pollen SLIT significantly affects Ig production, mainly concerning IgA; and IgA increase is related with TGF-beta production. Moreover, this is the first study that measured Ig classes by using a quantitative method.
authors.affiliation: Semeiotica e Metodologia Medica I, DIMI, University of Genoa, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Amici
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tosca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pistorio
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta