Allergen-specific immunotherapy: an update on immunological mechanisms of action

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2006 Mar;65(1):34-7. doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2006.583.

Abstract

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment able to modify the natural history of the allergic subjects. Several aspects of the immunopathological response modified by SIT have been investigated; the first parameter historically studied was the production of allergen-specific antibodies. An increase of allergen-specific IgG4 and a decrease of IgE appear after SIT. A shift from Th2-polarized immune response toward Th1-oriented pattern has been reported after SIT. More recently, a crucial role for a subpopulation of T cells has been evidenced: T regulatory cells (Treg). Allergic patients have a defect of Tregs. SIT is able of inducing a specific Treg response. Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative route of administration for SIT. Recent evidence shows that SLIT is also able of inducing a Treg response as detected by IL-10 production.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Immunoglobulin E / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Skin Tests
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin E