title: Regulatory T cells in children undergoing rush venom immunotherapy.
abstract: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) induces immune tolerance to Hymenoptera venom but the underlying mechanisms are not clarified. Regulatory T cells are thought to play an important role in tolerance induction during specific immunotherapy. Our objective was to determine the effects of rush  VIT on the percentage of regulatory T cells and immunosuppressive cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in children. Blood samples were collected from 18 children with a previous systemic allergic reaction to a Hymenoptera sting, with a positive skin  test and positive specific IgE, before rush VIT, after 6 weeks and 6 months of rush VIT. Ten children with no history of venom allergy were studied as controls. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with specific markers for regulatory T cells and analyzed by flow cytometry.  The percentage of regulatory T cells did not change during rush VIT in children. No change was noticed in the percentage of IL-10 and TGF-beta secreting cells after 6 weeks or 6 months of VIT. No difference in expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 on CD4(+)CD25(+high)  was found. Rush VIT is a safe and effective treatment for patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom. Although regulatory T cells are considered to be responsible for this effect; no significant changes in the percentage of these cells or immunosuppressive cytokines were noticed during rush VIT  in children. Additional investigations are needed to clarify the role of regulatory T cells in the induction of tolerance during rush VIT in children.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. jakov.ajduk@gmail.com
authors: Jakov
authors: J
authors: Ajduk
authors: Mirjana
authors: M
authors: Turkalj
authors: Alenka
authors: A
authors: Gagro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007073:Immunoglobulin E