Modulation of IgE response and cytokine production in Peyer's patches and draining lymph nodes in sensitized mice made tolerant by oral dust mite administration

Such allergic diseases as rhinitis and asthma are IgE-mediated type I react ions and are controlled primarily by Th2 cells. One of the major dust mites , Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), is considered to cause allergic reac tions. Oral tolerance, largely used to modulate immune response, opens the possibility of modulating Th2 allergic responses. We observed downmodulatio n of total and specific IgE antibody levels as well as the number of specif ic IgE-secreting cells with Dp feeding in previously sensitized mice. Analy sis of the cytokine profile in mucosal lymphoid tissues in the protocol rev ealed altered patterns of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-5 (IL-5 ), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) secretion in Dp-fed anima ls. The results suggest that both the Th and B cell populations are modulat ed in mice made tolerant by oral Dp feeding. Understanding the mechanisms a t the mucosal level that underlie oral tolerance can improve its use in all ergy immunotherapy.