title: [Effector cells in allergy: biological principles and new pharmacologic concepts].
abstract: The clinical symptoms of allergy are caused by cellular (IgE-triggered) responses to an allergen. Effector cells of allergy include eosinophil and basophil granulocytes, as well as tissue mast cells. Growth and accumulation, as well as IgE-dependent and independent functions of these cells are regulated by distinct proteohormones and peptides. The hemopoietic cytokines IL-3 (interleukin-3), IL-5 and GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) are involved in the regulation of basophils (and eosinophils), whereas the ligand for c-kit, SCF (stem cell factor) is a mast cell-specific agonist. Basophils and mast cells express high-affinity IgE-binding sites. Allergen binding to IgE on mast cells and basophils, and consecutive cross-linking of IgE receptors is followed by production and/or secretion of inflammatory mediator substances. Specific activation and deactivation of mast cells/basophils in vitro has been demonstrated by use of recombinant cytokines and allergens, and specific haptens or by use of novel drugs, and should lead to epitope-specific diagnosis and better management of allergic diseases in the future.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hämatologie und Hämostaseologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin I, AKH, Wien.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Sperr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valenta
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bankl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sillaber
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Scheiner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valent
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000502:physiology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus