BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated gene-4 (CTLA-4) is now recognized as a negative regulatory factor for activated lymphocytes, and may be therefore involved in the pathogenic mechanismof allergies. We assessed the levels of the soluble form of CTLA-4 molecule in subjects with a pure IgE mediated disease, hymenoptera venom allergy, and its modulation by immunotherapy. Thirty patients with grade III-IV reactions, sensitized to hymenoptera only, and receiving specific immunotherapy were enrolled. Serum CTLA-4 and Interleukin-10 were assayed in the serum at baseline and after the 6-week induction phase of immunotherapy. Specific IgE and IgG4 were also measured, Serum CTLA-4 was also measured in 27 patients with allergic rhinitis, as well as in 45 healthy subjects. ELISA methods and Western blotting were used. Serum CTLA-4was undetectable in almost all healthy controls and rhinitis patients, whereas it was raised in hymenoptera venom patients (median 17.5 range 0.1-95 ng/mL). Its concentration significantly decreased after immunotherapy induction (median 3.3, range 0.1-34.5 ng/mL; p 5 0.0004), in parallel with a significant increase in interleukin- 10 (p50.0001). No change at all was seen in IgE and IgG4 concentrations. Soluble CTLA-4 in serum clearly discriminates the subjects with hymenoptera allergy from those with respiratory allergy and normals. In addition it may represent an early marker of the immunological effects of specific immunotherapy.
Serum cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in hymenoptera venom allergy and its modulation by specific immunotherapy
CANONICA, GIORGIO;
2009-01-01
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated gene-4 (CTLA-4) is now recognized as a negative regulatory factor for activated lymphocytes, and may be therefore involved in the pathogenic mechanismof allergies. We assessed the levels of the soluble form of CTLA-4 molecule in subjects with a pure IgE mediated disease, hymenoptera venom allergy, and its modulation by immunotherapy. Thirty patients with grade III-IV reactions, sensitized to hymenoptera only, and receiving specific immunotherapy were enrolled. Serum CTLA-4 and Interleukin-10 were assayed in the serum at baseline and after the 6-week induction phase of immunotherapy. Specific IgE and IgG4 were also measured, Serum CTLA-4 was also measured in 27 patients with allergic rhinitis, as well as in 45 healthy subjects. ELISA methods and Western blotting were used. Serum CTLA-4was undetectable in almost all healthy controls and rhinitis patients, whereas it was raised in hymenoptera venom patients (median 17.5 range 0.1-95 ng/mL). Its concentration significantly decreased after immunotherapy induction (median 3.3, range 0.1-34.5 ng/mL; p 5 0.0004), in parallel with a significant increase in interleukin- 10 (p50.0001). No change at all was seen in IgE and IgG4 concentrations. Soluble CTLA-4 in serum clearly discriminates the subjects with hymenoptera allergy from those with respiratory allergy and normals. In addition it may represent an early marker of the immunological effects of specific immunotherapy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
