Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
08:13
Rapid Quantification of Mitogen-induced Blastogenesis in T Lymphocytes for Identifying Immunomodulatory Drugs
Published on: December 27, 2016
Early gene expression changes with rush immunotherapy
Laurie S Davis1, Sumit Bhutani, Sherry Ridz Barnett
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatic Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8884, USA. laurie.davis@utsouthwestern.edu.
Clinical and Molecular Allergy : CMA
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Rush immunotherapy (RIT) rapidly alters gene expression in allergic patients. These changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) indicate early shifts in innate and adaptive immunity during RIT.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Allergic diseases affect millions globally.
- Rush immunotherapy (RIT) offers a rapid treatment option.
- Understanding RIT's molecular mechanisms is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) during RIT.
- To identify early molecular markers of RIT efficacy.
Main Methods:
- PBMC samples from 3 allergic patients were analyzed at 4 timepoints during RIT.
- Whole genome expression profiling using oligonucleotide microarrays (>47,000 transcripts).
- Flow cytometry assessed Fc epsilon RI and T-regulatory cell frequency.
Main Results:
- 507 transcripts showed ≥1.5-fold change; 44 showed ≥2-fold change (p≤0.05).
- Upregulation of innate and adaptive immune genes (e.g., IL-1β, IL-8, CD40L, BTK, BCL6).
- Decreased Fc epsilon RI expression and increased allergen-specific IgG4 observed at 4 months.
Conclusions:
- RIT induces rapid and significant gene expression changes in PBMC.
- Early alterations in innate and adaptive immunity are detectable.
- These changes correlate with increased allergen-specific IgG4, suggesting a therapeutic shift.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
00:59Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
00:59Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...