Cytokine production in peripheral blood cells during and outside the pollen season in birch‐allergic patients and non‐allergic controls

Abstract

The main finding of our study was the increased percentage of GM-CSF+ monocytes in atopic subjects compared with healthy controls. In allergic patients, natural seasonal pollen exposure resulted in increased numbers of GM-CSF+ cells among both monocytes and CD4+ T cells. We have also shown that a seasonal change in Th2/Th1 cytokine ratio requires an adequate and prolonged allergen stimulation that is seen late in the pollen season.