Cytokines and bronchial hyperreactivity.
Cytokines and interleukins are a potent group of molecules that is primarily involved in maintaining homeostasis. These molecules regulate the growth and function of many cells of the immune system including eosinophils, mast cells/basophils and others. Activation of the later cells by cytokines may play a crucial role in the development of allergic inflammation of the airways. The importance of cytokines in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma has been reviewed in this paper.
Alam
R
R
Department of Medicine, University of Texas, Galveston 77550.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D001491:Basophils / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D008222:Lymphokines; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1; D007073:Immunoglobulin E