The allergic disease is characterized by hyperactivity of IgE- producing B cells against allergens.
A high serum IgE has noted in T cell dysfunction that there may be an association between allergic disease and cell mediated immune deficiency. This study was performed to elucidate the roles of T lymphocyte(cell) in dust mite asthma and its
immunotherapy.
Lymphocyte proliferative responses and interleukin-2 production to mitogen(PHA, Con-A, PWM) or allergen ( D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae) were measured in 15 normal children, 15 newly diagnosed dust mite asthma (new patients) and 15 dust mite
asthma
on
immunotherapy for 18 months(immunotherapy patients).
@ES The results were as follows
@EN 1. Percent inhibitions of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were 90% and 88% in RAST inhibition test. 2. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA or Con-A stimulation in new patients and immunotherapy patients were significantly decreased as
compared
ot normal children (O<0.001).
Between the patients, immunotherapy patients showed significant increased response to Con-A as compared to new patients (P<0.05). But there was no difference between normal children and patients in response to PWM stimulation.
3. Lymphocyte proliferative reponses to D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae in new patients were significantly increased as compared to normal children and immunotherapy patients (P0.001).
4. There was no difference among normal children, new patients and immunotherapy patients in the production of interleukin-2 to mitogen(PHA).
But interleukin-2 production to D. pteronyssinus in new patients were significantly increased as compared to normal children and immunotherapy patients(P<0.01).
In conclusion, new patients showed a decreased T cell function and increased helper T cell hypersensitivity to allergen. Immunotherapy restored the deficient T cell function and diminished the helper T cell hypersensitivity to allergen.
This suggests that cell mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic disease and the mechanisms of immunotherapy.
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