Cytokines and their receptors as therapeutic targets in asthma.
Cytokines are very potent pro-inflammatory agents. Several cytokines are present in abnormal quantities in asthmatic airway tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that these cytokines have biological effects relevant to the pathogenesis of asthma. We review the evidence that interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) have the potential of playing a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Inhibition of the activity of IL-4 or IL-5 and enhancing or mimicking the action of IL-10, IL-12 or IFNgamma are therapeutic options in asthma that warrant further investigations.
Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
R A
RA
Pauwels
G G
GG
Brusselle
K G
KG
Tournoy
B N
BN
Lambrecht
J C
JC
Kips
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000187:drug effects*; D012137:Respiratory System
D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin