Cytokines in allergic inflammation
Kuna, P.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego 14(84): 497-499
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1426-9686 PMID: 14524254 Document Number: 560690
Cytokines play a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and allergic inflammation. Therefore, an understanding of mechanisms which regulate production and function of cytokines is very important and may result in the development of more effective methods of treatment of allergic diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that the induction of allergic inflammation requires genetic background and environmentak factors. The most important cytokines and chemokines are IL-4, IL-5, IL-3, IL-13, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha. Many other cytokines are responsible for the growth, maturity, migration activation and apoptosis of all cells involved in allergic inflammation, among them are IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, MIP-1 alpha, RANTES, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-alpha i gamma, TGF-beta, sIL-4, IL-1Ra. Recently it has been proven that IL-10 and other cytokines from the IL-10 family, and TGF-beta have anti-inflammatory properties in allergy.