title: Correlation of Der p 2 T-cell responses with clinical characteristics of children allergic to house dust mite.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the development and maintenance of allergic inflammation and their clinical implications is needed to develop specific and successful treatment for allergy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize in vitro T-cell responses to Der p 2, one of the major allergens of house dust mite (HDM), and investigate potential correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients monosensitized to HDM and 10 age-matched, healthy children were studied. Dendritic cells pulsed with Der p 2 were used to stimulate autologous CD14(-) cells. Der p 2-specific T-cell activation markers, proliferation, and cytokine production profiles were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Der p 2-specific T-cell activation markers, proliferation, and T(H)2 cytokine production were significantly higher in HDM patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, a significant correlation between proliferation and T(H)2 cytokine production was observed. Within the allergic group, skin reaction to HDM was significantly stronger in patients with a Der p 2-specific T-cell response. Levels of HDM-specific IgE directly correlated with interleukin 5 and interleukin 13 levels and with skin prick test results and, ultimately, with the patient's family history of allergy. Furthermore, the presence of atopic march correlated with T-cell proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that, in HDM patients, Der p 2-specific T(H)2 responses, promoted by autologous dendritic cells in vitro, correlate with clinical parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pacciani
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corrente
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregori
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierantozzi
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silenzi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chianca
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Moschese
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chini
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angelini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; C451163:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 2; D007073:Immunoglobulin E