INTERLEUKIN-16

Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, It is synthesiz ed as a precursor molecule that is processed by cleavage of a C-termin al 14 kDa peptide, which aggregates into bioactive tetramers. IL-16 re quires the expression of CD4 for its functions, which include inductio n of chemotaxis, interleukin-2 receptor and HLA-DR expression, reversi ble inhibition of TcR/CD3-dependent activation and induction of a repr essor of HIV-1 transcription. It represents a major source of the lymp hocyte chemotactic activity early after antigen challenge of atopic as thmatics in which the major cell of origin is the epithelium, although mast cells, CD8 cells, CD4 cells and eosinophils are also sources; an d the presence of IL-16 directly correlates with the number of infiltr ating CD4(+) T cells, Potential therapeutic applications are use of in hibitors of IL-16 in asthma and for IL-16 in selective CD4(+) T cell i mmune reconstitution in HIV-1 infection or following chemotherapy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.