Sublingual specific immunotherapy reduces PBMC proliferations

Background: Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy has been demonstrated capable of inducing T regulatory response. There is few evidence concerning immunological changes induced by sublingual immunotherapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate T cell proliferation in subjects successfully treated with SLIT for HDM. Methods: PBMCs were isolated from patients after at least 3 years of successful HDM SLIT and from matched untreated allergic and healthy control subjects. After 3 and 6 days of in vitro stimulation with PHA, Candida albicans, Dermatophagoides farinae, grasses, Parietaria judaica, and cat, proliferation. Results: Subjects treated with SLIT showed significant reduction of proliferation induced by Candida albicans, Parietaria, and grasses in comparison with untreated atopics (p=0.0002, 0.0033, and 0.009 respectively). Conclusion: This pilot study confirms reduced T cell proliferation in allergic subjects treated with SLIT.