CpG Immunotherapy in Chenopodium album sensitized mice: The comparison of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IgE responses in intranasal and subcutaneous administrations

Ch.a sensitized mice were treated intranasaly or subcutaneously using CpG and Ch.a. extract. IFN-γ, IL-10 and total IgE were measured in supernatant culture of splenocytes and bronchoalveolor lavage (BAL) fluids by ELISA. Student's t test was used in the analysis of the results obtained from the test and control mice.We found that I.N administration of CpG/Ch.a in sensitized mice significantly increased the production of systemic and mucosal IFN-γ and IL-10 compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ch.a alone and control ODNs treated sensitized mice (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, S.C. route induced the systemic and mucosal IFN-γ in the lower levels than in I.N one, and failed to increase systemic IL-10 induction (P = 0.06). Total serum IgE in CpG/Ch.a treated mice in both routes showed significant decreases compared to three control groups (P ≤ 0.01). The amounts of IgE in BAL fluids were not measurable in all groups.According to the results of this experiment we concluded that immunotherapy via the I.N co-administration of CpG/Ch.a in comparison with S.C route is more effective to stimulate the mucosal and regulatory responses in Ch.a induced asthma.Immunomodulatory agents and their applications in allergic diseases have become one of the most investigating subjects in recent years [1,2]. Because of their potentials in immune response deviations, CpG-ODNs are used to shift immune response toward Th1 and regulatory cytokine induction. These cytokines can ultimately lead to prevention or reduction of pathologic features in asthma and other allergic conditions [3,4]. There have been many reports on beneficial properties of CpG motifs used in combination with different antigens from all over the world [5-8]. Furthermore, the route of administration is an attractive subject among these studies [9,10].In the present study we aimed to compare a number of the immunomodulatory effects of I.N and S.C co-administration of CpG motifs in combination with allergen of Chenopo