The neutralization of interleukin-5 as a therapeutic concept in allergic inflammation.
Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is an eosinophil differentiation factor. Therefore, increased levels of IL-5 in the bone marrow are associated with increased eosinophil numbers in blood. In addition, IL-5 increases the sensitivity of eosinophils towards other stimuli and delays their cell death. In contrast to other cytokines, IL-5 acts on a limited number of cells only. In fact, high-affinity IL-5 receptors are exclusively expressed by eosinophils and basophils, but no other human cells. Therefore, neutralization of IL-5 appears to be an obvious approach to treat eosinophilic disorders, since no major side effects due to effects on other cells are expected. Results from animal experiments suggested that anti-IL-5 antibodies may have anti-asthmatic activities. In this article, I summarize our current knowledge regarding anti-IL-5 therapy and speculate on the potential use of these drugs in the future.
Simon
Hans-Uwe
HU
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Switzerland. hus@pki.unibe.ch
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015848:Interleukin-5; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin