title: Modulation of immune responses by immunotherapy in allergic diseases.
abstract: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used for 100 years and until now different immunoregulatory pathways have been shown to take place in its mechanisms of action. It is characterized by administration of the causative allergen and is shown to be clinically efficient even after discontinuation of therapy particularly in allergic respiratory diseases, bee venom allergy, and food allergy. Generation of antigen/allergen-specific peripheral tolerance is the key mechanism during immunotherapy. It is mediated by development of T and B regulatory cells, IgG4 isotype allergen-specific antibodies and the involvement of multiple suppressor factors, which lead to decreased tissue inflammation, early and late phase responses. Describing novel regulatory mechanisms in the process of immune tolerance induction will help to identify treatment modalities not only for allergic disorders, but also for autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, chronic infections, and cancer.
authors: Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) Davos, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Pediatric Allergology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland.
authors: Ozlem
authors: O
authors: Cavkaytar
authors: Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) Davos, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland.
authors: Cezmi A
authors: CA
authors: Akdis
authors: Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) Davos, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland. Electronic address: akdisac@yahoo.com.
authors: Mübeccel
authors: M
authors: Akdis
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D001688:Biological Products