Cytokines and allergic rhinitis

Cytokines that are important in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases are summarized in Table II. The role of certain of these cytokines, especially IL-4 as well as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha have been documented in nasal biopsies and/or nasal secretions of patients with allergic rhinitis. The improvement of symptoms of allergen rhinitis induced by corticosteroid therapy or immunotherapy were associated with differences in cytokine expression, whereas, steroids decreased IL-4 expression and immunotherapy increased expression of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. These data indicate that these proven therapies most probably are mediated by different mechanisms with different cytokine expression.