Reassessing the Th2 cytokine basis of asthma.
T helper (Th) 2 cytokines, particularly interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13, might be important in the development of allergic asthma. Humanized monoclonal antibodies (hMAbs) against IL-5, and a recombinant soluble human IL-4 receptor have been developed as possible treatments for this disorder. However, these approaches have not yet proven to be successful in the treatment of persistent asthma, suggesting that neither IL-4 nor IL-5 is important in asthma pathogenesis. Indeed, there is insufficient information about the efficacy of soluble IL-4 receptor and the anti-IL-5 hMAbs in the treatment of asthma to draw firm conclusions about the importance of these Th2 cytokines. Nevertheless, because IL-4 is required for IgE production and IL-5 is required for eosinophilopoesis, these Th2 cytokines must remain important candidates for a role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.
O'Byrne
Paul M
PM
Asthma Research Group, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Healthcare and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4A6, Canada. obyrnep@mcmaster.ca
Inman
Mark D
MD
Adelroth
Ellinor
E
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4