چکیده (انگلیسی):

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only available curative treatment of allergic diseases. Recent evidence
provided a plausible explanation to its multiple mechanisms inducing both rapid desensitization and
long-term allergen-specific immune tolerance, and suppression of allergic inflammation in the affected tissues.
During SIT, peripheral tolerance is induced by the generation of allergen-specific regulatory T cells, which suppress
proliferative and cytokine responses against the allergen of interest. Regulatory T cells are characterized
by IL-10 and TGF-beta secretion and expression of important cell surface suppressive molecules such as cytotoxic
T lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death-1 that directly or indirectly influence effector cells of allergic
inflammation, such as mast cells, basophils and eosinophils. Regulatory T cells and particularly IL-10 also
have an influence on B cells, suppressing IgE production and inducing the production of blocking type IgG4 antibodies.
In addition, development of allergen-specific B regulatory cells that produce IL-10 and develop into
IgG4 producing plasma cells represent essential players in peripheral tolerance. These findings together with
the new biotechnological approaches create a platform for development of the advanced vaccines. Moreover,
reliable biomarkers could be selected and validated with the intention to select the patients who will benefit
most from this immune-modifying treatment. Thus, allergen-SIT could provide a complete cure for a larger
number of allergic patients and novel preventive approaches need to be elaborated.