MOLECULAR EVENTS IN ALLERGIC INFLAMMATION - EXPERIMENTAL-MODELS AND POSSIBLE MODULATION

In recent years, a complex molecular network involving cytokines kinin s and adhesion molecules has been demonstrated to operate in allergic inflammation. In particular, the adhesion machinery plays a crucial ro le for the recruitment and locomotion of the inflammatory cells and th e Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a hallmark of the alle rgic inflammatory process. The role and possible modulation of ICAM-1 can be investigated using both eye and nose experimental models. Conju nctiva and nasal epithelium are easy to study either under natural all ergen exposure or after specific/aspecific provocation tests; furtherm ore the nasal/conjuctival challenge is well tolerated by the patients. These experimental models have allowed us to investigate in vivo the antiallergic properties of several compounds. Many of the new antihist amines, but also deflazacort and local nasal immunotherapy, were demon strated capable of reducing both inflammatory infiltration and ICAM-1 expression on epithelia. Because of the central role of adhesion molec ules in allergic inflammation, their pharmacological modulation can be regarded as a promising therapeutic approach.