title: Cytokines and adhesion molecules in respiratory allergy.
abstract: Cytokines and adhesion molecules play a central role in the inflammatory process of respiratory allergy. Cytokines like IL4 acts on IgE synthesis and expression of low affinity CD23 IgE receptors, IL-5 on eosinophil differentiation and activation and IL-2 on T cell activation and on the expression of CD25 IL-2 receptors. IL-2, IL-4 and IL-2 soluble receptor have been studied in pollen sensitive patients before, during and after pollen season. IL-2 serum levels initially increase and decrease at the end of allergen exposition. IL-4 serum level do not significantly changes during pollen season. Adhesion molecules are essential for recruitment and migration of inflammatory cells to tissues. CD45RO T memory cells expressing generally the adhesion molecule CD29 have also been studied in a group of pollen sensitive patients. During the peak of antigen exposition CD45RO/CD29 cells significantly decrease a turnover between CD45RA naive cells and memory cells being observed. The study of cytokines and adhesion molecules could add new data on the comprehension of inflammation in respiratory allergy.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Hematologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Palma-Carlos
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Palma-Carlos
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000502:physiology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007073:Immunoglobulin E