title: Mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy.
abstract: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Despite comparable clinical efficacy to traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy, the mechanisms of SLIT have yet to be fully established. This article considers the role of the local oral mucosa and regional lymphoid tissues in the processing of allergen during SLIT and the subsequent effects on T-cell and B-cell immune compartments and at mucosal sites. The likely time course of events and the evidence for long-lasting tolerance following SLIT are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK. g.scadding@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scadding
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Durham
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines