Deficient translocation of c-Rel is associated with impaired Th1 cytokine production in T cells from atopic dermatitis patients.

Decreased production of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin-2 (IL-2), is a hallmark of atopic diseases. While accessory signals from antigen-presenting cells may be missing, T cells themselves may be suppressed in their ability to produce substantial amounts of Th1 cytokines. We show, in this study, that T cell receptor (TCR)-activated T cells from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients proliferate less than control T cells and produce lower amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2, but comparable amounts of IL-4.

Oral administration of specific antigens to allergy-prone infant dogs induces IL-10 and TGF-beta expression and prevents allergy in adult life.

Background: Oral administration of allergens can induce immune tolerance to specific allergens in rodents and hence might be a possibility to prevent and treat allergic diseases in human subjects. However, the gastrointestinal tract of mice is different from that of human subjects. The absorption of specific antigens and subsequent antigen presentation to intestinal T cells is different in both species, making it difficult to extrapolate results.