Co-administration of chenopodium album allergens and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Allergic Rhinitis treated with intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines

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)1/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-γ) 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-γ 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-γ production with CpG/Ch.a was significantly increased in comparison with before (237 vs. 44 pg/ml, p=0.001). IFN-γ and IL-10 production with CpG/rCh.a was significantly increased after therapy compared to before (407.6 vs. 109 pg/ml, p=0.01 for IFN-γ; 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.