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Transcutaneous immunotherapy via laser‐generated micropores efficiently alleviates allergic asthma in P hl p 5–sensitized mice
Author(s) -
Bach D.,
Weiss R.,
Hessenberger M.,
Kitzmueller S.,
Weinberger E. E.,
Krautgartner W. D.,
HauserKronberger C.,
Boehler C.,
Thalhamer J.,
Scheiblhofer S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12005
Subject(s) - medicine , immunotherapy , immunology , immunoglobulin e , subcutaneous injection , foxp3 , adjuvant , bronchoalveolar lavage , cytokine , allergy , lung , immune system , antibody
Background Specific immunotherapy via the subcutaneous or oral route is associated with local and, in some cases, systemic side effects and suffers from low patient compliance. Due to its unique immunological features, the skin represents a promising target tissue for effective and painless treatment of type I allergy. The current study was performed to compare the efficacy of transcutaneous immunotherapy via laser‐generated micropores to subcutaneous injection. Methods BALB /c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of recombinant grass pollen allergen P hl p 5 together with alum. Subsequently, lung inflammation was induced by repeated intranasal challenge. During the treatment phase, adjuvant‐free P hl p 5 was applied in solution to microporated skin or was subcutaneously injected. Lung function and cellular infiltration; P hl p 5–specific serum levels of I g G 1, I g G 2a, and I g E ; and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids as well as in supernatants of splenocyte cultures were assessed. Results Both therapeutic approaches reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and leukocyte infiltration into the lungs. Whereas subcutaneous immunotherapy induced a systemic increase in T h2‐associated cytokine secretion, transcutaneous application revealed a general downregulation of T h1/ T h2/ T h17 responses. Successful therapy was associated with induction of I g G 2a and an increase in FOXP 3+ CD 4+ T cells. Conclusions Transcutaneous immunotherapy via laser microporation is equally efficient compared with conventional subcutaneous treatment but avoids therapy‐associated boosting of systemic T h2 immunity. Immunotherapy via laser‐microporated skin combines a painless application route with the high efficacy known from subcutaneous injections and therefore represents a promising alternative to established forms of immunotherapy.