Regulatory T and B cells in peripheral blood of subcutaneous immunotherapy-treated Japanese cedar pollinosis patients

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify whether there are more regulatory T (Treg) and regulatory B (Breg) cells, and higher levels of IL-10-related transcription factors in subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT)-treated pollinosis patients than in non-SCIT-treated patients. METHODS: Japanese cedar pollinosis patients undergoing SCIT had received treatment for at least 2.8 years. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used for flow cytometer analyses and mRNA measurement. RESULTS: The numbers of type 1 regulatory T (Tr1)-like cells and Breg cells, and expression of E4BP4 mRNA by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in SCIT-treated patients were higher than those in non-SCIT-treated patients. CONCLUSION: Tr1-like cells, Breg cells and E4BP4 may be involved in the effectiveness of SCIT.