Lack of Detectable Alterations in Immune Responses during Sublingual Immunotherapy in Children with Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis to Grass Pollen

Vol. 136, No. 2, 2005

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 191 KB)

Original Paper

Lack of Detectable Alterations in Immune Responses during Sublingual Immunotherapy in Children with Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis to Grass Pollen
C. Rolinck-Werninghaus^a, M. Kopp^b, C. Liebke^a, J. Lange^b, U. Wahn^a, B. Niggemann^a

^aDepartment of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité, Berlin, and
^bDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;136:134-141 (DOI: 10.1159/000083320)

Key Words

Allergy
Children
Cytokines
Grass pollen
Sublingual immunotherapy
T cells

Abstract

Background: Recent work indicates that subcutaneous specific immunotherapy induces specific T-cell anergy, a shift in the TH1/TH2 ratio, and antibody production in favor of IgG4. There are few data on sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), especially in children. Methods: We assessed the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (³H-thymidine incorporation) and secretion of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN) gamma and IL-5 (ELISA) after in vitro stimulation with allergen or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in 29 children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis receiving SLIT with grass pollen before, and after 1 and 2 years of treatment in a multicenter placebo-controlled study on the efficacy of the treatment. Further, non-specific intracellular production of IL-4, IL-13, IFN gamma , IL-2, IL-10 and IL-5 (FACS) and serum total and specific IgE and IgG4 (ELISA) were analyzed. Results: Proliferation and IL-4 and IL-5 secretion after stimulation with allergen or PHA did not differ between the groups. In addition, we observed no effect of SLIT on intracellular cytokine production. IFN gamma secretion after allergen coculture was comparable between the groups. Following PHA stimulation, IFN gamma secretion was significantly higher in the SLIT group after 1 year, and a trend was observable already before and after 2 years of treatment, probably due to the inhomogeneity in the groups despite randomization (for age and asthma). No significant changes were observed for sIgE/sIgG4 ratios over time either in or between the groups. Conclusion: During 2 years of SLIT in children with a positive effect on rescue medication use, we observed no significant effects on in vitro T-cell immune responses or immunoglobulins. So far, pediatric studies demonstrating stable effects of SLIT on such reactions are missing, probably due to limited effects of SLIT on systemic immunologic reactions.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Bodo Niggemann
Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology
Charité, Humboldt University, Augustenburger Platz 1
DE-13353 Berlin (Germany)
Tel. +49 30 450 566643, Fax +49 30 450 566931, E-Mail bodo.niggemann@charite.de

Article Information

Received: May 19, 2004
Accepted after revision: September 22, 2004
Published online: January 12, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 39

Medline Abstract (ID 15650310)

Download Citation

Cited In

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.