Study of the Effects of CpG Oligonucleotides on IFN- γ and IgE Responses to Chenopodium Album Allergen in Murine Model of Asthma

Worldwide increasing number of allergic disorders is one of the most important health challenges, and achieving safe prophylactic and therapeutic procedures is the main aim of the investigators. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) which modulate the immune responses and change the cytokine patterns by severalmechanisms are among these procedures. In this experimental study we investigated the effects of CpG motif on immune responses to Chenopodium album (CH.a), a common allergenic plant in Iran, in a murine model of asthma. We used CH. a pollen extract with CpG to sensitize the mice and compared a number of immunologic parameters such as interferon gamma (IFN- 􀇄) and IgE levels between case and control groups. To do this, IFN-􀇄 and IgE levels were measured in splenocyte and lung culture supernatants. Histological studies were also conducted to identify inflammatory cells in lung airways. ANOVA test was used to analyze the data. The study showed although CpG ODN cannot reduce IgE levels to the normal range, they can lower IgE levels by 80% and have a potent influence to augment both systemic and local levels of IFN-􀇄 as a Th1 activity marker (P<0.01) The results of the study have consistency with other reports and confirm the benefits of CpG motifs in reducing lung inflammatory responses. Since CpG components have potency to shift immune activity from Th2 to Th1 responses, it seems that co-administration of CpG/antigen can modulate inflammatory responses to different allergenic antigens.