Effect of Japanese cedar-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy on allergen-specific T cells

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860817
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pediatrics
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: NOMURA Takayasu 名古屋市立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 研究員 (50587334)
• Research Collaborator: SAITOH Shinji ; ITO Yasuhiko ; OZEKI Kazuyoshi ; SUZUKI Motohiko ; NAKAMURA Yoshihisa ; YOKOTA Makoto ; TSUGE Ikuya
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 舌下免疫療法 / スギ花粉症 / 抗原特異的T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The contribution of antigen-specific TH cells in peripheral blood to immunologic mechanisms underlying sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) remains unclear. To clarify the role of antigen-specific TH cells, we used a sensitive method analyzing activation marker CD154-positive TH cells with multicolor flow cytometry. We assessed antigen-specific TH cells in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis receiving SLIT at baseline and during the first pollen season after the initiation of SLIT. A total of 18 patients were enrolled in the present study. Of these, 8 patients received SLIT (SLIT group) and 10 patients received symptomatic treatment only (control group). Although seasonal pollen exposure significantly increased the number of Japanese cedar-specific interleukin 5- and interleukin 4-producing TH cells in the control group, SLIT ameliorated this increase in the SLIT group. The present study indicates that peripheral allergen-specific TH2 cells are involved in mechanisms underlying SLIT.

Free Research Field

小児アレルギー