Interleukin-5, eosinophilic diseases and therapeutic intervention.
Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is the key cytokine in an eosinophil's life span: it supports eosinophilopoiesis and eosinophil differentiation, contributes to eosinophil migration, tissue localisation and function, and prevents eosinophil apoptosis. Given the likely role of eosinophils in chronic inflammatory diseases, a lot of research over the past decade was aimed at antagonising IL-5 function. It appears from recent studies that, although this can easily be achieved in vitro, blocking IL-5 function in vivo is much more difficult than originally anticipated. Here, we review the current status of IL-5 and IL-5 receptor research, with emphasis on strategies to interfere with IL-5 function.
Zabeau
Lennart
L
VIB09 Dept Medical Protein Research, Ghent University, Belgium.
Gevaert
Philippe
P
Bachert
Claus
C
Tavernier
Jan
J
D000818:Animals; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008024:Ligands; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D015848:Interleukin-5; D008024:Ligands; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5