In vitro human lymphocytes response to house-dust mite challenge - pattern of cytokine production and phospho- protein expression.

Abstract

An in vitro model was established using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both allergic and non-allergic subjects to investigate lymphocytes response to house dust mite challenge in three aspects: 1) the profiles of secreted cytokines upon HDM challenge; 2) stimulation-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinases (p38, ERK, JNK); 3) activation-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and cleavage of apoptosis-related proteins such as caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Lingzhi was used in combination with HDM stimulation to investigate its potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. we demonstrated that allergen induced lymphocytes response differs between allergic and non-allergic subjects. Our results on allergen-induced cytokine production, MAP kinase activation and apoptotic response of human lymphocytes might provide some useful information in the better understanding of the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. It appears that Lingzhi has some effect in prevention of apoptotic cell death in allergic inflammation.