BACKGROUND

An understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the development and maintenance of allergic inflammation and their clinical implications is needed to develop specific and successful treatment for allergy.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize in vitro T-cell responses to Der p 2, one of the major allergens of house dust mite (HDM), and investigate potential correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters.

METHODS

Forty-two patients monosensitized to HDM and 10 age-matched, healthy children were studied. Dendritic cells pulsed with Der p 2 were used to stimulate autologous CD14(-) cells. Der p 2-specific T-cell activation markers, proliferation, and cytokine production profiles were examined.

RESULTS

Der p 2-specific T-cell activation markers, proliferation, and T(H)2 cytokine production were significantly higher in HDM patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, a significant correlation between proliferation and T(H)2 cytokine production was observed. Within the allergic group, skin reaction to HDM was significantly stronger in patients with a Der p 2-specific T-cell response. Levels of HDM-specific IgE directly correlated with interleukin 5 and interleukin 13 levels and with skin prick test results and, ultimately, with the patient's family history of allergy. Furthermore, the presence of atopic march correlated with T-cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

We found that, in HDM patients, Der p 2-specific T(H)2 responses, promoted by autologous dendritic cells in vitro, correlate with clinical parameters.