Novel immunotherapeutic approaches for allergy and asthma.
The immune response is a tightly regulated process, which normally results in protection from infection and tolerance of innocuous environmental antigens. However, in allergic disease, the activated immune response results in a chronic pro-inflammatory state characterized by antibody secretion (IgE) and T cell activation to normally well-tolerated antigens. Currently, the treatment of allergic disease is focused on the suppression of key inflammatory mediators or inflammatory cell populations and include anti-histamines, anti-leukotrienes, &#x03B2;2 adrenergic receptor agonists and corticosteroids. However, these approaches only provide a temporary suppression of disease symptoms. Successful long-term treatment can only be provided by allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergen-SIT), which restores normal immunity against allergens. This review will discuss novel approaches to the management of allergy and asthma by targeting the T regulatory cell via modulation of the commensal microbiota and allergen-SIT.
O'Mahony
Liam
L
Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, University of Zürich, Davos, Switzerland. liam.omahony@siaf.uzh.ch
Akdis
Mubeccel
M
Crameri
Reto
R
Akdis
Cezmi A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*