Sublingual immunotherapy-induced IL-10 production is associated with improvement of nasal airflow resistance: Preliminary report

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be able of inducing a regulatory T cell (Treg) response as evidenced by IL-10 production. Nasal obstruction may be measured by rhinomanometry. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association of sublingual immunotherapy-induced IL-10 production with nasal airflow resistances. Methods: 19 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were studied: 9 successfully assumed sublingual immunotherapy for 3 years, 10 were considered as control. In vitro IL-10 production was evaluated after sublingual immunotherapy. Rhinomanometry was performed in all subjects before and after 3 years. Results: After 3 years, sublingual immunotherapy-patients showed a significant decrease of nasal resistances (0.048). The comparison with non-treated allergic patients shows significant differences (p = 0.02). In addition, the percentages of reversibility were associated with IL-10 levels (p = 0.0016). Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence of an association between improved nasal resistances and Treg-induced IL-10 production after sublingual immunotherapy in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis