Specific Immunoglobulin G4 Correlates with Th2 Cytokine Reduction in Patients with Allergic Asthma Treated by Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus Subcutaneous Immunotherapy

Overview

Journal World Allergy Organ J

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2023 Feb 23

PMID 36820309

Authors

Qiujuan Su

Nina Ren

Mulin Feng

Xueni Zeng

Yan Dong

Mo Xian

Xu Shi

Tian Luo

Gang Liu

Jing Li

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The modulations of lymphocyte subsets and cytokine production due to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) are not fully clarified.

Objective: We investigated the changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and serum -specific immunoglobulin G4 (Der-p sIgG4), as well as cytokine production during Der-p SCIT, in patients with allergic asthma.

Methods: This study involved 20 patients with allergic asthma who were receiving 156-week Der-p SCIT and 20 patients without SCIT (non-SCIT). We measured symptom and medication scores (SMS), serum Der-p sIgG4 levels, CD4CD25Foxp3 T regulatory (Treg), CD4IL-4IFN-γ T-helper (Th) 1, and CD4IL-4IFN-γ Th2 lymphocyte percentages in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with/without Der-p extract stimulation at weeks 0, 4, 12, 16, 52, 104, and 156. Cytokine release inhibition assays were performed by incubation with serum from SCIT and non-SCIT patients, Der-p allergen, and PBMCs. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were evaluated in supernatant.

Results: We found that SCIT patients had significantly lower SMS after week 52. Der-p sIgG4 levels in SCIT patients significantly increased at week 16 compared with non-SCIT subjects. CD4IL-4IFN-γ Th2% in SCIT patients showed a significant decrease from weeks 104-156 compared with week 0, while no change was observed in CD4CD25Foxp3 Treg and CD4IL-4IFN-γ Th1 percentages. IL-5, IL-13, IL-4, IL-17, and TNF-α levels in supernatant of PBMCs cultured with serum of SCIT patients after 16 weeks showed significant lower levels compared with non-SCIT patients, and showed significant reverse associations with Der-p sIgG4 levels.

Conclusion: SCIT induced Dep-p sIgG4 may be involved in downregulating Th2 cytokine production in Der-p allergic asthma patients.

Citing Articles

A study of specific immunoglobulin G4 expression in allergic rhinitis and its value in assessing efficacy and in predicting prognosis of sublingual immunotherapy.

Wei T, Gao K, Tai J, Wei Y, Zhan B Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2024; 41(1):e12916.

PMID: 39739782 PMC: 11724161. DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12916.

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