ABSTRACT
Allergic Rhinitis [AR] is one of the most common chronic diseases in the developed countries. This study was performed to investigate the effect of CpG-ODN in alteration of T-helper [Th]l/Th2 balance of patients with AR treated with intranasal corticosteroids [INCs] and antihistamines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] of 20 patients with AR were isolated before and after 45 days therapy. Cytokine production [IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-gamma] and specific Ch.a IgE in response to CpG co-administration of natural chenopodium album [CpG/Ch.a] or recombinant Ch.a [CpG/rCh.a] allergen were investigated in supernatants.of cultured PBMCs using ELISA Intracellular IL-10 was also assessed in CD4[+] cells using flow cytometry. Significant increase in production of IFN-y and IL-10 and decrease in production of IL-4 were found in supernatants of cultured PBMCs activated with CPG/ch.a and CPG/rch.a. of both CpG/Ch.a and CpG/rCh.a compared to allergens alone, before and after therapy. After therapy, IFN-gamma production with CpG/Ch.a was significantly increased in comparison with before [237 vs. 44 pg/ml, p=0.001]. IFN-gamma and IL-10 production with CpG/rCh.a was significantly increased after therapy compared to before [407.6 vs. 109 pg/ml, p=0.0l for IFN- gamma; 171.7 vs. 52.6 pg/ml, p=0.008 for IL-10], whilst IL-4 was significantly decreased [2.1 vs. 5.8 pg/ml, p=0.02]. Intracellular IL-10 expression was also significantly increased in response to either CpG/Ch.a or CpG/rCh.a that showed intracellular assay could be more sensitive than ELISA. Also, treatment with intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines could enhance this CpG effect, in vitro