[New experimental therapies for type I allergy].

Abstract

CD4+ T cells play a central role in the development of the immediate-type allergic response. It was shown that T cells from allergic patients exhibit an imbalance on the level of cytokine production which is characterized by increased IL-4- and decreased IFN-gamma production. Different strategies were developed to therapeutically interfere on various levels of the immunological dysregulation. In this article, the use of the immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs methotrexate, cyclosporine, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) will be discussed. Furthermore, new experimental therapeutic approaches will be presented which are aimed to selectively interfere on the level of cytokine production and regulation. A different approach targets the functional activity of allergen-specific T cells whose functions could be modulated in an animal model system by subcutaneous treatment with peptides.