Effects of dexamethasone on TNF-alpha-induced release of cytokines from purified human blood eosinophils.
BACKGROUND
TNF-alpha is an important mediator in allergy also for its effects on eosinophils.


METHODS
The effect of dexamethasone on TNF-alpha induced eosinophils survival, degranulation (ECP), cytokines release (IL-8, GM-CSF) and adhesion to VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and IgG coated wells (EPO release) were evaluated.


RESULTS
The drug inhibited IL-8 and GM-CSF production, but not viability, degranulation or adhesion in human peripheral blood eosinophils.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that part of the activity of glucocorticosteroids on eosinophils may be mediated by their ability to inhibit cytokine secretion that in turn is important for the perpetuation of the allergic inflammation.
Uings
Iain
I
Cell Biology Unit, Glaxo Wellcome SKB, Gunnels Wood Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2NY, UK.
Puxeddu
Ilaria
I
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Temkin
Vladislav
V
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Smith
Susan J
SJ
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Fattah
Dilniya
D
Cell Biology Unit, Glaxo Wellcome SKB, Gunnels Wood Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2NY, UK.
Ray
Keith P
KP
Cell Biology Unit, Glaxo Wellcome SKB, Gunnels Wood Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2NY, UK.
Levi-Schaffer
Francesca
F
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.