Interleukin-5: a drug target for allergic diseases.
There is a large body of evidence that eosinophils are a key component of the allergic response in asthma. Interleukin (IL) 5 is uniquely involved in the production of eosinophils, and with a variety of other cytokines and factors controls their activation, localization and survival. Thus, IL-5 is an important drug target for new anti-asthmatics. The routes to drug discovery are based on screens for inhibitors of IL-5 production, ligand antagonists, control of receptor expression and receptor activation. In this review, we will discuss specific targets and screening assays with examples of some of the compounds in development.
Western Australian Institute for Medical Research & Curtin University of Technology, Level 5 MRF Building, Rear 50 Murray Street, Perth 6000, Australia. colin@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
C J
CJ
Sanderson
D
D
Urwin
D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D015848:Interleukin-5