Immunotherapeutic Effects of Der p 38 in a <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> -induced Mouse Model of Asthma

Objectives: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disorder induced by sensitization to house dust mites.Der p 38, an allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP), induces mixed granulocytic asthma, characterized by the predominance of both eosinophils and neutrophils, whereas DP generally triggers eosinophilic asthma.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Der p 38 as an allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for asthma.Methods: Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a DP-induced eosinophilic asthma model.An enzymelinked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure total and Der p 38-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a in serum, and cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.Results: DP induced increases in total cell counts, predominantly eosinophils, along with mucus secretion resulting from goblet cell hyperplasia.Administration of Der p 38 suppressed DP-induced airway inflammation and mucus production.DP increased total IgE but weakly elicited Der p 38-specific IgE.Der p 38 treatment decreased total IgE and enhanced total IgG1 as well as total and Der p 38-specific IgG2a, which are hallmarks of AIT.Furthermore, Der p 38 reduced DP-induced T helper 2 cytokine level such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 while enhancing IFN-, IL17A and IL-10.These effects were comparable to those observed with DP-based AIT.Conclusion: Administration of Der p 38 lowered the allergenic potential of DP, emphasizing the promising role of Der p 38 and its variants as candidates for AIT in various asthma phenotypes.