TGF-beta and IL-17 serum levels and specific immunotherapy.

Abstract

Two new T cell subsets may be involved in allergic rhinitis (AR) pathogenesis: Th17 and T regulatory cells, mainly producing IL-17 and TGF-beta respectively. Successful Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) induces relevant immunological changes, thus the aim of this study was to evaluate serum IL-17 and TGF-beta levels in AR patients treated with SLIT for 2 years. Patients' blood samples were collected before initiating SLIT (baseline), three months after the end of the first pre-seasonal SLIT course, and at the end of the second pre-seasonal course. IL-17 was detectable only in the most severe allergic patients. SLIT significantly induced an increase in serum TGF-beta levels. There was moreover a significant relationship between TGF-beta and symptom severity and drug use at the end of the study. Therefore, this study provides clinically relevant evidence that two pre-seasonal SLIT courses may significantly affect serum TGF-beta levels.

• Authors: Giorgio Ciprandi, Mara De Amici, Simone Negrini, Gianluigi Marseglia, Maria Angela Tosca
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 9 Issue 10 Pg. 1247-9 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19622397 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Interleukin-17
• Transforming Growth Factor beta

Topics

• Adult
• Allergens (immunology)
• Desensitization, Immunologic
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Interleukin-17 (biosynthesis, blood, genetics)
• Male
• Pollen (immunology)
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (blood, immunology, pathology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta (biosynthesis, blood, genetics)