Pilot study of IFN-gamma-induced specific hyposensitization for house dust mites in atopic dermatitis: IFN-gamma-induced immune deviation as a new therapeutic concept for atopic dermatitis

Cytokine. 2000 May;12(5):472-6. doi: 10.1006/cyto.1999.0589.

Abstract

IFN-gamma/IL-4 imbalance is a central immunologic defect which is responsible for increased IgE antibody response in atopic dermatitis. Effects of hyposensitization were controversial in atopic dermatitis. Reversed IFN-gamma/IL-4 balance was induced using IFN-gamma in atopic dermatitis and specific hyposensitization with house dust mites (HDM) was tried in the status of IFN-gamma-induced immune deviation. A total of 58 atopic dermatitis patients who had obvious allergy to HDM were selected in this study. IFN-gamma-induced hyposensitization for HDM was tried in 10 patients. Twenty-two patients received IFN-gamma therapy and six were treated by simple hyposensitization. Twenty were enrolled as control subjects. The clinical severity scores decreased effectively only by IFN-gamma-induced hyposensitization for HDM. Specific hyposensitization for HDM in the status of IFN-gamma-induced immune deviation successfully improved atopic dermatitis. HDM might play a pathogenic role in subpopulation of atopic dermatitis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Separation
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / etiology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy*
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods
  • Eosinophils / cytology
  • Eosinophils / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mites / immunology*
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Interferon-gamma