title: Vitamin D3 improves the effects of low dose Der p 2 allergoid treatment in Der p 2 sensitized BALB/c mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Airborne allergens can induce an immunological chronic disease characterized by airway hyper responsiveness and inflammation, mediated by exaggerated Th2 immune response. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is effective for treating this condition because it is able to modify its natural course by opposing the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and determining immune suppression, immune deviation and tolerance. The rational for the present study was to investigate the possibility of improving allergoid-based IT in terms of efficacy and safety. Recently, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3), the active metabolite of vitamin D3, was described to be a potent inducer of T regulatory cells and to be a good adjuvant in AIT settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated whether the co-administration of VD3 could potentiate the effect of AIT even when added to a low dose of chemically-modified monomeric allergoid of Der p 2 (d2-OID), in a Derp p 2 (d2)-sensitized BALB/c mice model. Control groups where treated with sham, VD3 alone or d2-OID only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The d2-OID alone was not fully successful, as expected for a low dose. VD3 administration was associated with some valuable, although limited, changes in the immunological parameters in the lung. On the contrary, the VD3 adjuvated allergoid vaccine induced the most prominent reduction of airway eosinophilia and Th2 cytokines and concomitant increase of T regulatory cells and IL-10 in the lung and Der p 2-specific IgG2a in the serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of VD3 to a conventional AIT protocol would allow the reduction of allergoid dose needed and therefore, the production costs. Moreover, beneficial immunomodulatory effects have been achieved by the oral administration which might favour the management of the therapy by the patients and their adherence, possibly enhancing the efficacy of the treatment.
authors: Unit of Allergy and Immunotoxicology, Center of Ageing Science, "Università G. d'Annunzio" Foundation, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: 0000-0002-6910-0160
authors: C
authors: Petrarca
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Science (DMSI), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Clemente
authors: Unit of Allergy and Immunotoxicology, Center of Ageing Science, "Università G. d'Annunzio" Foundation, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Amato
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Science (DMSI), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Gatta
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Science (DMSI), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Cortese
authors: Unit of Immuno-oncology, Center of Ageing Science, "Università G. d'Annunzio" Foundation, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Lamolinara
authors: Animal Facility, Center of Ageing Science, "Università G. d'Annunzio" Foundation, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Cosmo
authors: C
authors: Rossi
authors: Research Center, Lofarma SpA, Milan, Italy.
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Zanotta
authors: Research Center, Lofarma SpA, Milan, Italy.
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Mistrello
authors: Department of Medicine and Ageing Science (DMSI), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Paganelli
authors: Unit of Allergy and Immunotoxicology, Center of Ageing Science, "Università G. d'Annunzio" Foundation, Chieti, Italy ; Department of Medicine and Ageing Science (DMSI), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Di Gioacchino
keywords: Allergen immunotherapy; Allergoid; Allergy; Asthma; Der p 2; Eosinophils; IL-10; IgE; T regulatory cells; Vitamin D3