Early effects of ultra-rush wasp-venom immunotherapy on the expression of CD25 on CD4+ T cells

Abstract To date, early effects of specific immune therapy on the parameters of adaptive immune responses in hymenoptera venom allergic patients remain unclear. Therefore, in this pilot study, we aimed to evaluate early changes in the levels of CD25 expression within CD4+ T cells occurring in the course of ultra-rush wasp venom immunotherapy. To this end, ten wasp venom-sensitive patients subjected to ultra-rush immune therapy were recruited for the study. CD4+ T cells and CD25 expression were assessed before the start of treatment, 24 h later and on day 120 with the use of monoclonal antibodies directed at CD4, CD25 (IL-2 receptor) by the means of multi-color flow cytometry. We have demonstrated non-significant decrease in the intensity of CD25 expression on the surface of CD4+ T cells at day 1 but not day 120 of specific immune therapy. Our study suggests that putative early immunosuppressive mechanisms of SIT are not related to dramatic changes in the expression of CD25 on CD4+ T cells.