Association between the type of allergen and T-helper 2 mediated inflammation in allergic reactions: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

• Elina P. Nepolo ^[2] ; Bongani B. Nkambule ^[1] ; Fransina Ndevahoma ^[2] ; Tawanda M. Nyambuya ^[3] ; Phiwayinkosi V. Dludla ^[4]
  1. [1] University of KwaZulu-Natal

     University of KwaZulu-Natal

     Ethekwini, Sudáfrica

     
  2. [2] Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.
  3. [3] Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
  4. [4] Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa.

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• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 50, Nº. 1, 2022, págs. 37-50
• Idioma: inglés
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  • Objectives: To determine whether the levels of T-helper (TH) 2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5) in allergic reactions are allergen dependent and evaluate the impact of various treatment strategies on the levels of these cytokines.

    Methods: The PubMed search engine was used from inception until January 2021. The random-effects residual maximum likelihood model was performed, and effect sizes were estimated using the Hedge’s g statistic. All data analysis was performed using STATA 16.0 (StataCorp LP, TX, USA).

    Results: Fourteen studies reporting on 794 participants were included in this study. House dust mite was associated with eliciting a stronger immune response mediated by both IL-4 and IL-5 when compared to pollen. Whereas a mixture of house dust mite and pollen was associated with IL-4-weighted inflammation. Comparisons of IL-4 and IL-5 levels amongst the allergens showed significant differences. The treatment with anti-corticosteroids or allergen-specific immunotherapy was effective in normalising the TH2 responses and alleviating allergy symptoms.

    Conclusion: TH2-mediated inflammation in allergic reactions is allergen-dependent. Therefore, the type of allergen should be considered when using cytokine-targeting biologics in allergic reactions.