Peripheral Th-17 cells in allergic rhinitis: New evidence

BackgroundTh17 is a subset of T helper lymphocytes exerting inflammatory activities. Recently, it has been reported that serum IL-17 levels are high in patients with severe birch allergy.Aim of the studyIt was to compare the cytokine profile and the frequency of peripheral allergen-specific T helper producing IL-17 in patients with allergic rhinitis.MethodsTwelve patients with persistent allergic rhinitis due to pollens and 5 healthy non-allergic subjects were evaluated during the pollen season. Th17 were evaluated by intracellular staining in T cell compartment ex-vivo and after short activation by allergens and control antigens.ResultsEx-vivo PBMNC evaluation showed that allergic patients had higher frequencies of IL-17 producing T cells. Functional analysis after antigen-specific CD4+ T cell expansion demonstrated that allergic patients had higher frequencies of IL-17 producing T cells than normal subjects.ConclusionThis preliminary study contributes to the knowledge concerning the possible role of Th-17 cells in the response to allergens.