Suppression function against environmental dust exposure after Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy is associated with production of specific and cross-reactive immunoglobulin G4.

BACKGROUND

Whether Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der-p) allergen immunotherapy (AIT) can induce Dermatophagoides farina (Der-f)-specific immunoglobulin (sIg) G4 production, and tolerance to environmental allergens has not been fully investigated.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine serum Der-p-sIgG4 and Der-f-sIgG4 levels in asthma and/or rhinitis patients undergoing Der-p AIT and their ability to reduce immune responses triggered by indoor dust extracts.

METHODS

We performed a real-world prospective trial and enrolled patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma in Guangzhou, China. These patients received either Der-p AIT (SCIT group) or routine medications (non-SCIT group) for 156 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the combined symptom medication score (SMS) and FEV % changes. House dust samples were collected to analyse allergen levels. Serum levels of Der-p-sIgG4 and Der-f-sIgG4, serum inhibitory capacity against Der-p, Der-f and indoor dust extract by sIgE-facilitated allergen binding to B cells (IgE-FAB), and serum blocking indoor dust extract-induced basophil activation inhibition assays (BATI) in peripheral blood monocytes were carried out at weeks 0, 4, 12, 16, 52, 104 and 156 after the initiations of the treatments.

RESULTS

Our study enrolled a total of 60 participants, with 30 patients in each group. Patients in the SCIT group had significantly improved SMS when compared with the baseline and the patients in the non-SCIT group. Median levels of Der-p 1 and Der-f 1 in indoor dust extract were 1.86 μg/g and 4.74 μg/g, respectively. Serum Der-p-sIgG4 and Der-f-IgG4 levels in SCIT patients showed a significant increase from weeks 12 to 156. Serum in these SCIT patients could significantly block Der-p, Der-f and indoor dust extract formation of allergen-sIgE complex and reduced the threshold of IgE-FAB from 16 weeks after the initiation of the treatment. The capacity to inhibit Der-p, Der-f and indoor dust extract BATI was observed in SCIT serum after 12 weeks. Der-p-sIgG4 and Der-f-sIgG4 had a significant correlation with IgE-FAB and BATI in SCIT patients at all time points.

CONCLUSION

Single Der-p immunotherapy induced both Der-p-sIgG4 and Der-f-sIgG4 production, which might cross-reactively induce tolerance against environmental allergen exposure in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis.