Cytokines in airway inflammation

Y Riffo-Vasquez, S Pitchford, D Spina - The International Journal of …, 2000 - Elsevier
Y Riffo-Vasquez, S Pitchford, D Spina
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 2000Elsevier
With over 50 potential asthma mediators, cytokines are the latest group of substances which
have been investigated for their potential role in this disease. The use of murine models of
allergic inflammation has facilitated the investigation of the role of individual cytokines in this
response. The use of targeted gene disruption, overexpression of genes and monoclonal
antibodies directed against cytokines have allowed a detailed examination of the role
cytokines play in IgE production, eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperresponsiveness …
With over 50 potential asthma mediators, cytokines are the latest group of substances which have been investigated for their potential role in this disease. The use of murine models of allergic inflammation has facilitated the investigation of the role of individual cytokines in this response. The use of targeted gene disruption, overexpression of genes and monoclonal antibodies directed against cytokines have allowed a detailed examination of the role cytokines play in IgE production, eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, which are the characteristic features of the asthma phenotype. Despite the introduction of this new methodology, conflicting reports relating to the role of cytokines in allergic inflammation, highlight the complexity of allergic inflammation and challenge the notion that a single cytokine can explain the asthma phenotype.
Elsevier