The Effect of Specific Immunotherapy on Natural Killer T cells in Peripheral Blood of House Dust Mite-Sensitized Children with Asthma. (13th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan-ming, Lu; Lan-fang, Cao; Chen, Li; Ya-qin, Li; Wei, Chen; Wen-ming, Zhang
• Other Names: Nakayama T. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Clinical & developmental immunology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-09-13
• Subjects: Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; 571.9638
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/148262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-2522

Abstract

Abstract : To investigate the effects of specific immunotherapy on the NKT cells in peripheral blood and the ability of NKT cells to proliferate in response to alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) in house-dust-mite- (HDM-) sensitized asthma children, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 42 asthmatic children, of whom 24 were on specific immunotherapy (SIT) for more than a year and 20 were healthy. Compared with control group, the ratio of peripheral blood NKT and CD4 + NKT cells was significantly decreased (P < 0.01 ) and was elevated in SIT asthma group (P < 0.05 ), respectively, but it was still less than the normal control group (P < 0.01 ). The level of IL-4 in serum secreted by NKT cells in asthma group was significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01 ), particularly apparent after 72 hours. The level of IL-4 in SIT group decreased significantly (P < 0.01 ). The level of IL-10 in serum secreted by NKT cells in asthma group was decreased significantly than that of the control group (P < 0.01 ) especially in 48 hours, while that of SIT group was increased significantly (P < 0.01 ). These results suggest that the pathogenesis of asthma may be related to the ratio and dysfunction of NKT and CD4 + NKT cells.