Cytokine modulators in asthma: Clinical perspectives (original) (raw)

2002

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by fibrosis of the airways, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells and mucous secreting cells due to infiltration of activated eosinophils and activation of resident mast cells and lymphocytes. These chronic inflammatory changes are mediated by secretion of cytokines from inflammatory cells. Cytokines play integral role in the coordination and persistence of inflammatory process in chronic inflammation of the airways. Based on the recent understanding of pathogenesis of asthma, cytokines are classified as a) Lymphokines, b) Proinflammatory cytokines, c) Antiinflammatory cytokines and d) Chemokines. The biology of cytokines seem to be complex and may not confine to inflammatory reactions as some of them do possess antiinflammatory properties. Current therapies for asthma provide only symptomatic relief to patients and do not control inflammation. Modern treatment of asthma is directed towards lessening ...

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