[Effector cells in allergy: biological principles and new pharmacologic concepts].
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.
Sperr
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WR
Abteilung für Hämatologie und Hämostaseologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin I, AKH, Wien.
Agis
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H
Valenta
R
R
Bankl
H C
HC
Sillaber
C
C
Scheiner
O
O
Kraft
D
D
Lechner
K
K
Valent
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P
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
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus