title: Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy.
abstract: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergen-SIT) is a potentially curative treatment approach in allergic diseases. It has been used for almost 100 years as a desensitizing therapy. The induction of peripheral T cell tolerance and promotion of the formation of regulatory T-cells are key mechanisms in allergen-SIT. Both FOXP3+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and inducible IL-10- and TGF-β-producing type 1 Treg (Tr1) cells may prevent the development of allergic diseases and play a role in successful allergen-SIT and healthy immune response via several mechanisms. The mechanisms of suppression of different pro-inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, mast cells and basophils and the development of allergen tolerance also directly or indirectly involves Treg cells. Furthermore, the formation of non-inflammatory antibodies particularly IgG4 is induced by IL-10. Knowledge of these molecular basis is crucial in the understanding the regulation of immune responses and their possible therapeutic targets in allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland. akdisac@siaf.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Soyka
authors.forename: Mübeccel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akdis
authors.forename: Cezmi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Akdis