Immune regulatory system dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of
asthma. The
therapeutic effect of allergic
asthma is to be improved. The immune regulatory function of probiotics has been recognized. This study tests a hypothesis that Clostridium butyricum (CB) enhances the effect of
allergen specific
immunotherapy (AIT) on
asthma. In this study patients with allergic
asthma were treated with AIT or/and CB for six months. The
therapeutic effect and
IgE production of the patients were observed. The results showed that administration with AIT alone alleviated the
asthma symptoms; but the serum levels of
interleukin (IL)-4,
IL-5,
IL-13 and specific
IgE were not altered, which was markedly improved by the administration with CB plus AIT. Such effects were maintained only for two months in the patients treated with AIT alone; but maintained more than 12 months in those patients treated with both AIT and CB. CB facilitated AIT to induce IL-10+ B cells (B10 cells) in
asthma patients. AIT/CB
therapy converted
antigen specific B cells to
antigen specific regulatory B cells.
Butyrate modulated the gene transcription of
IgE and
IL-10 in the
allergen specific B cells. In conclusion, administration of CB can enhance the
therapeutic effect of AIT in the treatment of allergic
asthma via facilitating generation of B10 cells.