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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Identification and Characterization of Immunogenic RNA Species in HDM Allergens that Modulate Eosinophilic Lung Inflammation
Published on: May 30, 2020
Sublingual house dust mite immunotherapy has no impact on decrease of circulating erythrocytes upon airway allergen
Galateja Jordakieva1,2, Michael Kundi3, Patrick Lemell4
1Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
House dust mite (HDM) allergy is a predominant cause for perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) in Europe. We recently reported that circulating erythrocyte numbers decrease after airway allergen challenge in a murine asthma model and in grass-pollen sensitized AR subjects. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate these findings in HDM sensitized AR subjects and the influence of preceding allergen immunotherapy. Seventy-seven (age 26.8 ± 7.3 years; 54.5% female) HDM-allergic rhinitis subjects previously enrolled in a randomized, monocentric sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) trial at the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC) were included. Subjects had either received placebo (n = 22), low-dose HDM (n = 29) or high-dose HDM specific sublingual immunotherapy (n = 26) daily for 24 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after 6 hours of HDM allergen exposure. Overall, specific airway allergen challenge resulted in a significant decrease in circulating erythrocytes and hematocrit (p < 0.001), and elevation of leukocytes (p < 0.001), particularly segmented neutrophils (p < 0.001). Gender had no significant effect on the observed changes in circulating blood cells. Erythrocytes decreased and neutrophil counts increased significantly after airway allergen challenge regardless of preceding immunotherapy. These findings imply a rapid systemic mobilization of neutrophils occurring within immediate type hypersensitivity response upon a specific allergen challenge, which is possibly inversely linked with the erythrocyte numbers.
Insights
House dust mite allergy triggers a decrease in red blood cells and an increase in neutrophils during allergic rhinitis. This rapid immune response occurs regardless of prior immunotherapy treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- House dust mite (HDM) allergy is a leading cause of perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) in Europe.
- Previous studies indicated a decrease in circulating erythrocytes post-allergen challenge in asthma models and grass-pollen allergic rhinitis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate erythrocyte and leukocyte changes in HDM-allergic rhinitis subjects following allergen exposure.
- To assess the impact of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on these hematological changes.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-seven HDM-allergic rhinitis subjects from a randomized SLIT trial underwent controlled HDM allergen exposure.
- Blood samples were collected before and 6 hours after exposure to measure circulating erythrocytes, hematocrit, and leukocytes (including neutrophils).
Main Results:
- Airway allergen challenge significantly decreased erythrocytes and hematocrit (p < 0.001).
- Leukocyte counts, particularly segmented neutrophils, significantly increased (p < 0.001).
- These hematological changes occurred irrespective of immunotherapy status or gender.
Conclusions:
- Airway allergen challenge induces rapid systemic changes in blood cell counts during allergic rhinitis.
- A significant mobilization of neutrophils and a decrease in erythrocytes suggest an immediate hypersensitivity response.
- These findings highlight a potential inverse relationship between erythrocyte levels and neutrophil mobilization in acute allergic reactions.
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