IL-4 production by human basophils found in the lung following segmental allergen challenge

JT Schroeder, LM Lichtenstein, EM Roche, H Xiao and MC Liu

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001, 107: 265-271

Topic: Respiratory immunology, Asthma

Readership: General interest

Reported by: Andrea Heinzmann

Context

Th2 cytokines, in particular interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic diseases. The expression of these cytokines by inflammatory cells is upregulated in sites of allergic inflammation. It has long been thought that IL-4 is derived solely from T lymphocytes; however, more recent studies have demonstrated that basophils account for most of the IL-4 production in peripheral blood leucocytes. The authors of this study investigated whether, and under what conditions, basophils isolated from the lung following segmental allergen challenge secrete IL-4 in vitro.