Th2 cytokines and asthma. Interleukin-4: its role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and targeting it for asthma treatment with interleukin-4 receptor antagonists.

Abstract

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) mediates important pro-inflammatory functions in asthma including induction of the IgE isotype switch, expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), promotion of eosinophil transmigration across endothelium, mucus secretion, and differentiation of T helper type 2 lymphocytes leading to cytokine release. Asthma is a complex genetic disorder that has been linked to polymorphisms in the IL-4 gene promoter and proteins involved in IL-4 signaling. Soluble recombinant IL-4 receptor lacks transmembrane and cytoplasmic activating domains and can therefore sequester IL-4 without mediating cellular activation. We report the results of initial clinical trials, which demonstrate clinical efficacy of this naturally occurring IL-4 antagonist as a therapeutic agent in asthma.

• Authors: J W Steinke, L Borish
• Journal: Respiratory research (Respir Res) Vol. 2 Issue 2 Pg. 66-70 ( 2001) ISSN: 1465-9921 [Print] England
• PMID: 11686867 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Interleukin-4
• Recombinant Proteins
• Interleukin-4

Topics

• Animals
• Asthma (immunology, therapy)
• Humans
• Interleukin-4 (genetics, immunology)
• Receptors, Interleukin-4 (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, therapeutic use)
• Recombinant Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)