Figure 2.

Proposed mechanisms of induced short-term protection and induced long-term tolerance of venom immunotherapy (VIT). The short-term protection effect seems to be established by the generation of blocking IgG antibodies and the desensitization of mast cells and basophils. Induced long-term tolerance is reached after at least three years of VIT. A decrease in basophil responsiveness, shift from Th2 to Th1 immune response, and the generation of regulatory T and B cells has been proven to be essential for achieving allergen tolerance.