Figure 2.

House dust mite sublingual allergen immunotherapy (AIT) increased polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))–induced human bronchial epithelial cell IFN expression in patients with allergic asthma. Bronchial epithelial cells from patients with allergic asthma were stimulated with poly(I:C) 10 μg/ml for 24 hours. IFN mRNA expression was quantified using qRT-PCR, and protein release was measured using multiplex ELISA. (A–F) mRNA expression of IFN-β in fold change (poly(I:C) was normalized to respective control) (A), protein release (absolute value) (B), mRNA expression of IFN-λ in fold change (poly(I:C) was normalized to respective control) (C), relative change of IFN-β mRNA fold induction (end of treatment [Week 24] [EOT] − baseline [BL]) (D), relative change of IFN-β protein release (EOT − BL) (E), and relative change of IFN-λ mRNA fold induction (EOT − BL) (F). Relative change (Δ) values are presented as median with interquartile range; placebo (n = 17) and AIT (n = 17). P values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical differences. rel. = relative; UBC = ubiquitin C.