[Advances in the study of immunopathology in atopic disorders]

The atopic diseases are mediated by type I hypersensitivity. These disorders are multifactorial, although, the inherency is probably the most important cause. The disregulation of the Th1/Th2 immune response is one of the predominant factors on the generation and maintenance on the atopic process. We analyze the mechanisms of the regulation of the response Th1/Th2, the recent theories of the disregulation on this response as an etiology, the soluble factors as cytokines, chemokines and their receptors, surface cell markers and transcriptional factors recently mentioned to be important on this disregulation mechanism. Otherwise, we propose some general considerations and perspectives.