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Objective: To
investigate
immunomodulatory
properties of 4
antihistamines
available in Japan.
Method:
Isolated peripheral
blood T cells from
healthy volunteers
were preincubated
with cetirizine,
loratadine,
olopatadine, or
fexofenadine for 30
minutes and then
stimulated with
interleukin (IL)-12
or IL-4 to skew
immune response
towards type 1 or
type 2 helper T
cells. RNA was
extracted 6 hours
later and
semiquantitative
reverse
transcription
polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR)
was performed using
primers for IL-5 and
interferon (IFN) γ.
Supernatants were
collected 24 hours
after stimulation,
and cytokine
production was
quantified by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay
(ELISA).
Results:
RT-PCR revealed that
IL-12–induced
expression of IFN-γ
was partially
suppressed by
loratadine and
fexofenadine and
that all 4 agents
tested inhibited
IL-4–induced
expression of IL-5.
ELISA demonstrated
that IL-12–induced
IFN-γ production was
significantly
suppressed by
cetirizine and
fexofenadine and
IL-4–induced IL-5
production was
downregulated by
three agents with
the exception of
cetirizine. This
study demonstrates
that antihistamines
have varying
immunomodulatory
properties,
suggesting treatment
choice for atopic
dermatitis can be
directed by disease
signs and symptoms.
Key words:
Atopic dermatitis
antihistamines.
IL-4. IL-12. |
