Allergen-specific immunotherapy alters the expression of B and T lymphocyte attenuator, a co-inhibitory molecule, in allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

B7/CD28 family co-signalling molecules play a key role in regulating T cell activation and tolerance. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) alters allergen-specific T cell responses. However, the effect of SIT on the expression of various co-signalling molecules has not been clarified.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to determine whether SIT might affect the expression of three co-inhibitory molecules, programmed death (PD)-1, B7-H1 and B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), in Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP).

METHODS:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from JCP patients who had or had not received SIT. PBMC were cultured in the presence or absence of Cry j 1, after which the cell surface expression of PD-1, B7-H1 and BTLA, as well as IL-5 production, were determined. In addition, the effect of BTLA cross-linking on IL-5 production was examined.

RESULTS:

After Cry j 1 stimulation, no significant differences in PD-1 and B7-H1 expression were observed between SIT-treated and SIT-untreated patients. BTLA expression was down-regulated in untreated patients after Cry j 1 stimulation and up-regulated in SIT-treated patients. Up-regulation of BTLA in SIT-treated patients was particularly apparent in a CD4(+) T cell subset. IL-5 production was clearly reduced among SIT-treated patients, and the observed changes in BTLA expression correlated negatively with IL-5 production. Moreover, immobilization of BTLA suppressed IL-5 production in JCP patients.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that both IL-5 production and down-regulation of BTLA in response to allergen are inhibited in SIT-treated patients with JCP. BTLA-mediated co-inhibition of IL-5 production may contribute to the regulation of allergen-specific T cell responses in patients receiving immunotherapy.

• Authors: M Okano, N Otsuki, M Azuma, T Fujiwara, S Kariya, Y Sugata, T Higaki, K Kino, Y Tanimoto, K Okubo, K Nishizaki
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 38 Issue 12 Pg. 1891-900 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1365-2222 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19016801 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Antigens, Plant
• BTLA protein, human
• Cry j I protein, Cryptomeria japonica
• Interleukin-5
• Plant Proteins
• Receptors, Immunologic

Topics

• Adult
• Allergens (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Antigens, Plant
• Cells, Cultured
• Cryptomeria (immunology)
• Desensitization, Immunologic
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-5 (antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Lymphocytes
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plant Proteins (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Receptors, Immunologic (antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis)
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (immunology, therapy)
• Species Specificity
• Treatment Outcome