The effect of allergen immunotherapy on in vitro IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by peripheral mononuclear cells in house dust-sensitive Chinese patients with bronchial asthma

The IFN-gamma produced by Th1 cells and IL-4 produced by Th2 cells are two most important cytokines in the regulation of IgE production. House dust im munotherapy has been tried in the treatment of house dust-sensitive Chinese asthmatic patients with good results. We examined the influence of such tr eatment on in vitro IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by peripheral blood monon uclear cells in house dust-sensitive asthmatic patients. Allergen immunothe rapy in house-dust sensitive asthmatic patients can significantly decrease IL-4 production from peripheral mononuclear cells (p < 0.05). The productio n levels of IL-4 in patients without treatment had higher levels than those in patients with hyposensitization (p < 0.01). Such therapy also have some effect on promotion of IFN-gamma production in asthmatic patients. In conc lusion, immunotherapy with house dust may have the potential ability to shi ft the Th1/Th2 balance of immune response to allergens and to create a favo rable cytokine microenvironment to suppress the allergic reaction in the as thmatic airway.