Immunomodulatory cytokines in asthmatic inflammation

The development of asthmatic inflammation involves a complex array of cytokines that promote the recruitment and activation of a number of different immune cells. While factors involved in initiating and establishing inflammation are well characterized, the process by which this pro-inflammatory cascade is regulated is less well understood. The identification and characterization of immunomodulatory cytokines in asthma has been a difficult proposition. Many of the putative regulatory factors have pleiotropic bioactivities and have been characterized as pro-inflammatory in association with certain pathologic conditions. This chapter addresses the potential role of several endogenous factors which appear to attenuate asthmatic inflammation. Understanding the integration of these factors into the regulation of the inflammatory process will likely result in novel therapeutic approaches.