title: Role of interleukin 33 in respiratory allergy and asthma.
abstract: Since the discovery of interleukin 33 as the adopted ligand for the then orphan ST2 receptor, many studies have implicated this cytokine in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergy and asthma. Although some extracellular functions of interleukin 33 have been well defined, many aspects of the regulation and secretion of this cytokine need clarification. Interleukin 33 has been identified as a trigger of T-helper-type-2 cell differentiation, which by interacting with both the innate and the adaptive immune systems, can drive allergy and asthma pathogenesis. However, induction of interleukin 33 by both environmental and endogenous triggers implies a possible role during infection and tissue damage. Further understanding of the biology of interleukin 33 will clarify its possible role in future therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK; Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College, London, UK. Electronic address: c.makrinioti@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Makrinioti
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK; Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toussaint
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK; Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College, London, UK; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK; Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ross P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK; Centre for Respiratory Infection, Imperial College, London, UK; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sebastian L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins