Mechanisms of immunotherapy

Stephen J Till, James N Francis, Kayhan Nouri-Aria, Stephen R Durham

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    350 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Specific allergen injection immunotherapy is highly effective in IgE-mediated diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and venom anaphylaxis. Immunotherapy inhibits both early and late responses to allergen exposure. Immunotherapy is accompanied by increases in allergen-specific IgG, particularly the IgG4 isotype, which blocks not only IgE-dependent histamine release from basophils but also IgE-mediated antigen presentation to T cells. Immunotherapy acts on T cells to modify peripheral and mucosal T(H)2 responses to allergen in favor of T(H)1 responses. Recent studies have identified increased IL-10 production in peripheral blood and mucosal surfaces after immunotherapy. IL-10 has numerous potential antiallergic properties, including suppression of mast cell, eosinophil, and T-cell responses, as well as acting on B cells to favor heavy chain class switching to IgG4. These IL-10-producing cells might be so-called regulatory T cells and appear to be identified by the CD4(+)CD25(+) phenotype. Studies in mice suggest that dendritic cells play a vital role in induction of regulatory T cells. Novel approaches to immunotherapy currently being explored include the use of adjuvants, such as monophosphoryl lipid A or nucleotide immunostimulatory sequences derived from bacteria that potentiate T(H)1 responses. Alternative strategies include the use of allergen-derived peptides or modified recombinant allergen vaccines that act on T cells while minimizing the IgE-dependent mast cell activation that is dependent on the native allergen conformation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1025-1034; quiz 1035
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
    Volume113
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2004

    Keywords

    • Interleukin-10
    • Animals
    • Immunoglobulin E
    • Humans
    • Immunoglobulin G
    • Desensitization, Immunologic
    • T-Lymphocytes

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