Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by inflammation sustained by dysregulated immune response. T-regulatory cells are involved in AR pathogenesis, mainly producing IL-10 and transforming growth factor ( TGF)-beta. Indeed, there is a functional and allergen-specific defect of T-regulatory cells in AR. However, there are no data about the influence of allergen exposure on TGF-beta serum levels. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate TGF-beta serum levels in patients with seasonal AR. Patients were evaluated either outside the pollen season and after 1 preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) course (38 subjects) or during the pollen season (57 subjects). METHODS: All patients were allergic to Parietaria and/or grasses alone. TGF-beta was measured by a commercially available kit. Symptoms, drug use and eosinophils were evaluated.Serum allergen-specific IgG and IgA levels were also measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS:
TGF-beta serum levels were significantly lower in patients evaluated outside the pollen season in comparison with the other 2 situations. SLIT induced the significantly highest TGF-beta serum levels. There was a significant negative relationship between TGF-beta and eosinophils in patients after SLIT. IgG and IgA levels were higher in SLIT-treated patients. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study provides evidence that TGF-beta serum levels are significantly dependent on allergen exposure.
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Authors | Giorgio Ciprandi, Mara De Amici, Mariangela Tosca, Gianluigi Marseglia |
Journal | International archives of allergy and immunology
(Int Arch Allergy Immunol)
Vol. 152
Issue 1
Pg. 66-70
( 2010)
ISSN: 1423-0097 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 19940507
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
- Allergens
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Topics |
- Administration, Sublingual
- Adult
- Allergens
(immunology)
- Desensitization, Immunologic
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Parietaria
(immunology)
- Poaceae
(immunology)
- Pollen
(immunology)
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
(etiology, immunology, physiopathology)
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
(blood)
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