Mechanisms and pharmacologic control of basophil-derived IL-4 and IL-13

Human basophils represent a major source of interleukin (IL) 4 and 13 prote in, cytokines which share several biological activities central to the path ogenesis of allergic inflammation, Studies show that the production of thes e cytokines differs with respect to mode of activation and the time course of their secretion. Pharmacologic evidence indicates that IL-4 generation, which is most prominent with IgE-dependent activation, is mediated through a calcineurin-dependent pathway. In contrast, multiple pathways seem eviden t in the regulation of IL-13 in basophils.