Immunological mechanisms of specific allergen immunotherapy

Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2006 Jan;5(1):15-21. doi: 10.2174/187152806775269321.

Abstract

Allergy is an immunological disorder, which is driven by uncontrolled allergen-activated T cell subsets, leading to immediate type hypersensitivity against otherwise harmless environmental allergens. These allergens are tolerated by healthy individuals as well as by patients, who successfully underwent allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). The successful SIT is characterized by the induction of T cell unresponsiveness against the given allergen. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are installed or enhanced by SIT and govern the activity of potentially pro-allergic effector T cells, mediate this unresponsiveness. The current article reviews the mechanisms underlying the balance of these cell populations along with suppressive mechanisms of SIT, which may serve as future drug targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Interleukin-10 / therapeutic use
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10