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. 2022 Apr;14(6):433-444.
doi: 10.2217/imt-2021-0217. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

miRNA profiles change during grass pollen immunotherapy irrespective of clinical outcome

Krzysztof Specjalski  1 , Agnieszka Maciejewska  2 , Jan Romantowski  1 , Ryszard Pawłowski  2 , Ewa Jassem  3 , Marek Niedoszytko  1
Affiliations

miRNA profiles change during grass pollen immunotherapy irrespective of clinical outcome

Krzysztof Specjalski et al. Immunotherapy. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is widely used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). This study aimed to determine the expression of 48 miRNAs in patients with AR undergoing grass pollen SCIT and investigate relations with clinical outcomes. Methodology: Expression of selected miRNAs was determined using RT-PCR in the full blood of 16 patients with AR and seven healthy controls. Results: miR-136, miR-208 and miR-190 were upregulated in the AR group. After 6 months of SCIT, significant downregulation of some proinflammatory miRNAs and upregulation of several miRNAs regulating Th1/Th2 balance were found. No differences were found between good and poor responders. Conclusion: miRNAs may play a regulatory role in SCIT, leading to tolerance induction.

Keywords: allergic rhinitis; allergy; immunotherapy; miR-136; miR-146a; miR-155; miR-190; miR-208; miRNA.

Plain language summary

Background: Subcutaneous immunotherapy is widely used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules controlling gene expression. Their role in the process of immunotherapy is not yet well understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression of 48 miRNAs in patients with AR undergoing grass pollen immunotherapy and relations between miRNAs and clinical outcomes. Methodology: The expression of selected miRNAs was determined in the blood of 16 patients with AR and seven healthy people. Results: Three miRNAs were found to be overproduced in allergic patients. During immunotherapy, the production of several proinflammatory miRNAs was reduced while those responsible for allergen tolerance were produced in larger amounts. Conclusion: miRNAs may play an important role in immunotherapy, leading to better tolerance of allergens.

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