title: Enhancement of the frequency and function of IL-10-secreting type I T regulatory cells after 1 year of cluster allergen-specific immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a highly effective treatment for allergic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of cluster SIT with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) on IL-10-secreting type I T regulatory (Tr1) cells in Der p-sensitized patients with allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective randomized study involving 68 participants (aged 18-60 years) of whom 38 were patients with allergic rhinitis and received Der p-SIT for 1 year and 30 were nonallergic controls. IL-10+IL-4-CD4+ T cells were measured by flow cytometry for the patient group at baseline and at the end of 1 year of SIT, and for nonallergic controls. Similarly, IL-10 in supernatants from allergen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures were measured by ELISA, and the suppressive effect of Tr1 cells on cell proliferation and cytokine release (IFN-γ and IL-4) in PBMCs was estimated in cultures from both groups. Allergen-specific serum IgE and IgG4 were also assessed by RAST and ELISA for the SIT group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of IL-10-secreting Tr1 cells, IgG4 and allergen-induced IL-10 synthesis from PBMC cultures were significantly increased and the function of Tr1 cells was enhanced after 1 year of SIT compared to baseline levels. In contrast, the level of IgE was not significantly changed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the cluster Der p-SIT may enhance the frequency and function of IL-10-secreting Tr1 cells.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Lou
authors: Chengshuo
authors: C
authors: Wang
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Demin
authors: D
authors: Han
authors: Luo
authors: L
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma