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Immunomodulation in asthma: mechanisms and possible pitfalls.
1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, Guy Scadding Building, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK. a.b.kay@imperial.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|June 18, 2003
Summary
New immunomodulatory strategies for atopic asthma aim to shift T helper cell (Th)2 responses to Th1. These approaches, including peptide therapy and DNA vaccines, may help restore immune balance and combat rising allergy and autoimmunity trends.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- T cell Differentiation
Background:
- Atopic diseases, such as asthma, are driven by T helper cell (Th)2 cytokine pathology.
- Increased prevalence of allergic and Th1-associated conditions is linked to the hygiene hypothesis.
- Current immunomodulatory strategies offer potential therapeutic avenues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate novel immunomodulatory strategies for atopic asthma and allergic diseases.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches.
- To explore the role of regulatory cytokines in immune system balance.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation of peptide therapy and DNA vaccines.
- Assessment of T helper cell (Th)2 to Th1 cytokine shifts.
- Analysis of regulatory cytokine induction, including interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).
Main Results:
- New immunomodulatory strategies show promise in clinical trials.
- These approaches appear to induce a shift from Th2 to Th1 responses.
- Induction of regulatory cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β is observed.
Conclusions:
- Novel immunomodulatory treatments for asthma and allergies demonstrate potential by rebalancing T helper cell responses.
- IL-10 plays a crucial role in mitigating both Th2 and Th1-associated diseases.
- Impaired regulatory responses may contribute to the rise in allergic and autoimmune conditions.