Eosinophil asthma role

Siroux V. Curt F. Oryszczyn MP, Maccario J, Kauff-mann F Role of gender and hormone-related events on IgE. atopy, and eosinophils in the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, dO bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004 114 491-498. 

The latest studies show that reactive nitrogen species play even more important role in asthma development. It was found that exhaled nitrogen oxide, an indicator of eosinophilic airway inflammation, is drastically enhanced in asthmatic patients. Correspondingly, it has been shown that lung damage is characterized by the augmentation of nitrotyrosine and iNOS expression in neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages in the airways of asthmatic patients [266],... 

The histamine H4-receptor which was discovered in 2001 has been shown to have a role in chemo-taxis and mediator release in various types of immune cells including mast cells, eosinophils, dendritic cells and T cells. H4-receptor antagonists have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and efficacy in a number of disease models, such as those for asthma and colitis in vivo. Cinnarizine has a high affinity for the H4-receptor. Recently other H4-receptor antagonists have been developed with high receptor affinity and specificity. The first few studies into the function of H4-receptors suggested... 

H4 blockers have potential in chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, in which eosinophils and mast cells play a prominent role. No selective H4 ligand is available for use in humans, but in addition to research agents listed in Table 16-1, many Hi-selective blockers (diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine) show some affinity for this receptor. Several studies have suggested that H4-receptor antagonists may be useful in pruritus. 

Eosinophils are known to play a role in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, especially asthma (Frigas and Gleich 1986 Barnes 1989). They infiltrate the... 

Allergic asthma patients have higher blood levels of NGF. The influx of inflammatory cells in lungs is observed as the neurotrophin expression is augmented. Multiple targets may be affected by neurotrophins as they play a role in allergic inflammation, which include recruitment, maintenance and activation of mast cells and eosinophils and facilitation of TH2 response. Whether neurotrophins can alter TH1/TH2 balance in humans has not yet been established. 

IL-4 plays a key role in the response of a T-helper cell (TH-2), which activates I -producing B cells, eosinophils, and mast cells. This IL-4 response is of great medical interest, because it is associated with allergic, inflammatory reactions, with asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis. Therefore, the structure of the IL-4-receptor complex may help in the development of a more effective therapy of allergies (Fig. 6.7). 

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