Regulation of eosinophil migration and Th2 cell function by IL-5 and eotaxin.
Asthma is characterized by elevated production of IgE, Th2 cytokines, chemokines, mucus hypersecretion, globlet cell metaplasia/hyperplasia, airway obstruction, eosinophilia and enhanced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. These hallmark features of asthma have all been linked to the effector functions of Th2 cytokines (e.g., interleukin-(IL)-4,5,9,10, and 13) in clinical and experimental investigations. This article will detail some of the pathogenic effects regulated by IL-13, IL-5 and the eotaxin subfamily of chemokines to regulate certain aspects of allergic disease. In particular, the potency of IL-13 in inducing enhanced bronchial responsiveness to spasmogenic stimuli and mucus hypersecretion suggests a key role of this molecule in the induction of airways obstruction. Recent studies also indicate that IL-5 and eotaxin, through eosinophils, may regulate Th2 cell function and IL-13 production from this lymphocyte. Therefore, IL-5 and IL-13 signaling systems are not necessarily mutually exclusive effector mechanisms, but may also be integrated through eosinophils to regulate certain aspects of allergic diseases. Blocking IL-13, or pathways that may promote IL-13-associated allergic lung responses (IL-5 and eotaxin) could provide an important strategy to improve the specificity of asthma therapy.
Mattes
Joerg
J
Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. mattes@kkl200.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Foster
Paul S
PS
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000502:physiology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000502:physiology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000502:physiology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000502:physiology*
C515456:CCL11 protein, human; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015848:Interleukin-5