title: A role for impaired regulatory T cell function in adverse responses to aluminum adjuvant-containing vaccines in genetically susceptible individuals.
abstract: Regulatory T cells play a critical role in the immune response to vaccination, but there is only a limited understanding of the response of regulatory T cells to aluminum adjuvants and the vaccines that contain them. Available studies in animal models show that although induced T regulatory cells may be induced concomitantly with effector T cells following aluminum-adjuvanted vaccination, they are unable to protect against sensitization, suggesting that under the Th2 immune-stimulating effects of aluminum adjuvants, Treg cells may be functionally compromised. Allergic diseases are characterized by immune dysregulation, with increases in IL-4 and IL-6, both of which exert negative effects on Treg function. For individuals with a genetic predisposition, the beneficial influence of adjuvants on immune responsiveness may be accompanied by immune dysregulation, leading to allergic diseases. This review examines aspects of the regulatory T cell response to aluminum-adjuvanted immunization and possible genetic susceptibility factors related to that response.
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: toddterhune@comcast.net.
authors: Todd D
authors: TD
authors: Terhune
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Richard C
authors: RC
authors: Deth
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D000535:Aluminum
keywords: Allergy; Aluminum; Asthma; Treg; Vaccination; iTreg; nTreg