Abstract
Recent clinical and experimental animal studies have provided evidence for a pivotal role of T lymphocytes and Th2 cytokines in the development of allergic inflammatory responses and airway hyperreactivity. These studies suggest also that the Th2 cytokine-associated inflammatory responses are potential targets of developing novel and effective therapies. Using a novel gene-transfer approach, we investigated the role of a Th2-inhibitory cytokine, IFN-?, in the regulation of antigen (Ag)-induced lung inflammatory response and airway hyperreactivity by transfer of the IFN-? gene into mouse lung mucosal cells. Our results showed that mice receiving the IFN-? gene demonstrate a lower degree of Ag- and Th2 cell-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and a reduced eosinophilia in the lung. These results provided evidence that the instillation of the IFN-y gene into the lung is effective in modulating the allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity in an experimental animal model.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 11-15 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Allergology International |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Th2 cytokines
- airway hyperreactivity
- allergic inflammation
- gene transfer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy