Minimal persistent inflammation may be controlled by cetirizine

Citation
Gw. Canonica et G. Ciprandi, Minimal persistent inflammation may be controlled by cetirizine, ANN ALLER A, 83(5), 1999, pp. 445-448
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease
Journal title
ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY
ISSN journal
10811206 → ACNP
Volume
83
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
445 - 448
Database
ISI
SICI code
1081-1206(199911)83:5<445:MPIMBC>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Objective: Recent pathophysiologic research demonstrated the crucial role p layed by adhesion molecules in recruiting and activating inflammatory cells during allergic reaction. Data Sources: Intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression on nasal epithelial cells is involved in two main pathogenetic phenomena. The first is to allow leukocyte infiltration of respiratory mucosa, since they expres s LFA1 and Mad, which are ligands of ICAM-1. This point is very important, because it has been demonstrated that patients with mite allergy tie, conti nuously exposed to allergen) present a minimal persistent inflammation (MPI ) both at nasal and conjunctival levels. This inflammation is characterized by the presence of leukocyte infiltration and ICAM-1 expression on epithel ial cells and by a relationship between specific and nonspecific hyperreact ivity in the absence of clinical symptoms. The second is that ICAM-1 is als o the main receptor of the human rhinoviruses. This fact may partially expl ain the relationship among allergy, viral infections, and asthma attacks. Study Selection: Different studies have been performed to demonstrate the p ossible effects on the different clinical aspects of MPI exerted by an anti allergic drug. Results: It has been demonstrated that cetirizine is able to reduce ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells and conjunctival nonspecific hyperreac tivity in asthmatic asymptomatic children with MPI. Conclusions: The therapeutical strategy of mite allergy should be targeted to treat minimal persistent inflammation.