Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
IL-21 expression during sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis
Chunrui Wang1, Xiaowei Qin1, Li Jiang1
1Department of Otolaryngology, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, The People's Republic of China.
Background:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder involving immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated immune response. Interleukin (IL)-21 IL-21 can regulate immune cell functions and IgE production. We aimed to explore the modulation of IL-21 expression before and after sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in AR patients and its correlation with IgE and Th2 cytokines.
Methods:
Fifty AR patients were enrolled and treated with HDM allergen extract via SLIT. Serum levels of IL-21 and Th2 cytokines as well as IgE were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed to compare changes in cytokine levels and assess correlations.
Results:
After 3 years of SLIT, serum levels of IL-21, Th2 cytokines and IgE were significantly reduced. Greater decreases were found in the effective treatment group compared to the ineffective group. The expression of IL-21 was correlated to IL-4 and IgE levels.
Conclusion:
SLIT downregulates the expression of IL-21 and other Th2 cytokines, with IL-21 potentially serving as a biomarker for SLIT efficacy in AR patients.
