IL-5 and eosinophilia.
While Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is initially identified by its ability to support the growth and differentiation of activated B cells, overexpression of IL-5 significantly increases eosinophil numbers and antibody levels predominantly from an expanded population of B-1 cells in vivo. Conversely, mice lacking a functional gene for IL-5 or IL-5 receptor alpha chain (IL-5Ralpha) display a number of developmental and functional impairments in B cell and eosinophil lineages. In addition to the JAK-STAT and Btk pathway, the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signals are important for IL-5-dependent cell survival. IL-5 critically regulates expression of genes involved in cell survival, IgH switch recombination, maturation in B cells and genes required for growth, survival, and effector function of eosinophils. IL-5Ralpha expression in B cells, but not in eosinophils is regulated by Oct-2. Eosinophilia is associated with a wide variety of conditions, including asthma and atopic diseases, helminth infections, drug hypersensitivity, and neoplastic disorders. In humans, the biologic effects of IL-5 are best characterized for eosinophils. The Sprouty-related Ena/VASP homology 1-domain containing protein (Spred)-1 negatively controls eosinophil numbers and functions by modulating IL-5 signaling in allergic asthma. We will emphasize that IL-5 plays a pivotal role in the innate and acquired immune response and eosinophilia.
Department of Immunobiology and Pharmacological Genetics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. takatsuk@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Kiyoshi
K
Takatsu
Hiroshi
H
Nakajima
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015848:Interleukin-5; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5