Changes in IL-10 and specific antibodies associated to successful Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy in children during the first year of treatment

Real-world study: drug reduction in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma receiving immunotherapy

Background: The reduction of pharmacological treatment after allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for house dust mites (HDMs) has been little studied in children. Objective: To evaluate the reduction of pharmacological treatment comparing children that receive HDM immunotherapy (AIT group) versus only pharmacotherapy. Methods: A historic cohort of children with rhinitis or asthma was assessed. The main outcome was the frequency of complete drug discontinuation. Results: 100% drug reduction was higher for rhinitis (4-year cumulative incidence: 30 vs 10.7%) and asthma (24.1 vs 10.5%) in the AIT group (n = 987) than in the pharmacotherapy group (n = 2012). Conclusion: Immunotherapy is associated with a significant reduction of pharmacotherapy in children. This is a marker of clinical control and could be associated with positive economic impact.

Role of whole saliva in the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

The development of methods to predict the clinical effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for allergic diseases is a crucial matter. We sought to determine whether whole saliva, which is the first body component that contacts allergen extracts during SLIT, is associated with the clinical effectiveness of SLIT in Japanese cedar pollinosis.

METHODS

Blood monocytes or monocytic THP-1 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of either whole saliva or pure saliva with or without treatments including filtration and blockade of TLR2 and/or TLR4 signaling. IL-10 levels in the supernatants were then measured. Whole saliva-induced IL-10 production by THP-1 cells was compared between asymptomatic and disease-onset patients during peak pollen dispersal after SLIT.

RESULTS

Both monocytes and THP-1 cells produced substantial amounts of IL-10 in response to whole saliva. IL-10 production was significantly reduced in response to pure saliva and 0.2 μm-filtered saliva. Simultaneous treatment with polymyxin B and TL2.1, a neutralizing antibody against TLR2, also reduced IL-10 production. IL-10 levels produced by THP-1 cells in response to whole saliva collected prior to SLIT were significantly higher in asymptomatic patients determined by symptom-medication scores than disease-onset patients following SLIT. Such differences were not seen in saliva collected 3 months after the initiation of SLIT or saliva collected during peak pollen dispersal.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a basis for why the sublingual route is effective and preferable in allergen immunotherapy. Saliva-induced IL-10 levels produced by THP-1 cells may be a predictive marker for clinical remission after SLIT.

Monitoring Allergen Immunotherapy Effects by Microarray

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment of IgE-mediated allergies so far that has a sustained effect on clinical symptoms and can modify the course of the disease. It is an allergen-specific treatment and therefore requires the correct identification of the disease-causing allergens. Furthermore, AIT is a time-consuming treatment for which the efficacy is dependent on several factors. Therefore, diagnostic tests and biomarkers are needed that facilitate (1) selection of the correct allergens according to the patient's individual sensitization profile and (2) to monitor the effects of AIT. This can provide support for the decision to continue, modify, or discontinue vaccination. One significant mechanism of action of AIT is the induction of allergen-specific antibodies that compete with IgE for the binding to allergen molecules, hence referred to as blocking antibodies. It was shown in several studies that the induction of blocking antibodies by AIT, and their specificity can be measured by allergen microarrays. Inhibition of allergen-specific IgE binding by blocking antibodies can also be determined by microarrays and is associated with changes in clinical parameters or other in vivo and in vitro assays demonstrating efficacy of AIT. Furthermore, allergen microarrays allow determination of IgE sensitizations towards a comprehensive set of allergen molecules and therefore are well suited for identifying the disease-causing allergens for correct prescription of AIT. Thus, diagnostic tests based on microarrayed allergens can be useful in determining the correct prescription of AIT and can be used to monitor efficacy of AIT.