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Immunologic changes during immunotherapy in asthmatic children: increased IL-13 and allergen-specific IgG4 antibody
1Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Background:
The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic diseases has increased in recent years. Immunotherapy with allergens is a treatment documented to have an effect on regulating cytokine production and allergen-specific antibody production.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to further investigate immunologic changes during immunotherapy and to explore the possible more efficient approach of immunotherapy.
Methods:
Asthmatic children receiving house dust mite immunotherapy were followed to learn immunologic parameters such as allergen-specific antibody levels, proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and cytokine change during immunotherapy.
Results:
The data suggested (1) IgG4 anti-mite antibody increased 8 months after immunotherapy while IgE antibody level remained the same; (2) allergen-induced, in vitro production of certain cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 decreased after immunotherapy; (3) IL-13 (which can induce IgG4 and IgE antibody production by B cells) increased after immunotherapy.
Conclusion:
Although this needs more study, IL-13 might play an important role in the generation of IgG4-blocking antibody during immunotherapy.