Backgraund: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common IgE-mediated disease. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the regulation of IgE synthesis, and cytokines produced by immune cells play an important role in this process. In addition, the study of the features of immunological reactivity in seasonal AR (SAR) is of interest both getting of new data about pathogenesis of the disease and optimization of the treatment.
Aims: To study the features of the cytokine status and hematological parameters in patients with SAR outside the period of exacerbation.
Materials and methods: 43 adult patients with SAR (stage of remission) have been included in the study, and 47 conditionally healthy patients have formed the comparison group; perennial symptoms and/or sensitization to perennial allergens were considered as exclusion criteria. Complete blood cell count and serum IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, MCP-1, total IgE, eosinophil cationic protein levels were measured.
Results: The remission stage in patients with SAR is characterized by higher serum levels of total IgE and IL-8 compared with the group of healthy patients. Normal serum total IgE level in patients with SAR in remission is associated with activation of the monocyte-macrophage link (increased serum levels of MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, absolute and relative numbers of monocytes). Increased serum total IgE level is associated with the predominant signs of the Th2-phenotype of the immune response (increased in the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5).
Conclusions: Immune reactivity of patients with natural remission of SAR is characterized by Th1-phenotype features if serum level of IgE is normal and Th2-ones if IgE is increased.