Helicobacter pylori, asthma and allergy.
Bronchial asthma and allergic diseases are orchestrated by T-cells producing T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5, and are inhibited by Th1 responses. Helicobacter pylori has chronically infected the human population for c. 100,000 years and preferentially elicits a Th1 mucosal immune response with the production of interferon-gamma and IL-12. Among several bacterial factors, the neutrophil-activating protein of H. pylori (HP-NAP) not only plays a key role in driving Th1 inflammation but it is also able to inhibit Th2 responses in vitro and in vivo in allergic bronchial asthma, in humans and mice. Both systemic and mucosal administrations of HP-NAP are successful in reducing eosinophilia, immunoglobulin E and systemic Th2 cytokines at the bronchial level. Thus, these results identify HP-NAP as a candidate for novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
D'Elios
Mario Milco
MM
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. delios@unifi.it
Codolo
Gaia
G
Amedei
Amedeo
A
Mazzi
Paola
P
Berton
Giorgio
G
Zanotti
Giuseppe
G
Del Prete
Gianfranco
G
de Bernard
Marina
M
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; C092412:neutrophil-activating protein A, Helicobacter pylori