Methods for Experimental Allergen Immunotherapy: Subcutaneous and Sublingual Desensitization in Mouse Models of Allergic Asthma.

Methods for Experimental Allergen Immunotherapy: Subcutaneous and Sublingual Desensitization in Mouse Models of Allergic Asthma. Methods Mol Biol. 2021;2223:295-335 Authors: Hesse L, Petersen AH, Nawijn MC Abstract Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling, and reversible airway obstruction. This is associated with an eosinophilic inflammation of the airways, caused by inhaled allergens such as house dust mite or grass pollen. The inhaled allergens trigger a type-2 inflammatory response with the involvement of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and Th2 cells, resulting in high immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production by B cells and mucus production by airway epithelial cells. As a consequence of the IgE production, subsequent allergen reexposure results in a classic allergic response with distinct early and late phases, both resulting in bronchoconstriction and shortness of breath. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment that is capable of modifying the immunological process underlying allergic responses including allergic asthma. Both subcutaneous AIT (SCIT) as well as sublingual AIT (SLIT) have shown clinical efficacy in long-term suppression of the allergic response. Although AIT treatments are very successful for rhinitis, application in asthma is hampered by variable efficacy, long duration of treatment, and risk of severe side effects. A more profound understanding of the mechani...
Source: Mol Biol Cell - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Methods Mol Biol Source Type: research