Sublingual immunotherapy in sensitized mice.

Background: Many studies have demonstrated immunologic changes induced by sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), but the definitive mechanism of action needs further investigation.

Objective: To study the immunologic response induced by SLIT in sensitized mice.

Methods: Timothy grass (Phleum pratense)-sensitized mice received SLIT for 2, 4, or 6 weeks at 3 different concentrations, including a buffer control.

Absence of the complement anaphylatoxin C3a receptor suppresses Th2 effector functions in a murine model of pulmonary allergy.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung resulting in airway obstruction. The airway inflammation of asthma is strongly linked to Th2 lymphocytes and their cytokines, particularly IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which regulate airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil activation, mucus production, and IgE secretion. Historically, complement was not thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma.