Cytokines and adhesion molecules in respiratory allergy

Cytokines and adhesion molecules play a central role in the inflammatory process of respiratory allergy. Cytokines like IL4 acts on IgE synthesis and expression of low affinity CD23 IgE receptors, IL-5 on eosinophil differentiation and activation and IL-2 on T cell activation and on the expression of CD25 IL-2 receptors. IL-2, IL-4 and IL-2 soluble receptor have been studied in pollen sensitive patients before, during and after pollen season. IL-2 serum levels initially increase and decrease at the end of allergen exposition. IL-4 serum level do not significantly changes during pollen season. Adhesion molecules are essential for recruitment and migration of inflammatory cells to tissues. CD45RO T memory cells expressing generally the adhesion molecule CD29 have also been studied in a group of pollen sensitive patients. During the peak of antigen exposition CD45RO/CD29 cells significantly decrease a turnover between CD45RA naive cells and memory cells being observed. The study of cytokines and adhesion molecules could add new data on the comprehension of inflammation in respiratory allergy.