Th2 cytokines and asthma - The role of interleukin-5 in allergic eosinophilic disease

Interleukin-5 is produced by a number of cell types, and is responsible for the maturation and release of eosinophils in the bone marrow. In humans, i nterleukin-5 is a very selective cytokine as a result of the restricted exp ression of the interleukin-5 receptor on eosinophils and basophils. Eosinop hils are a prominent feature in the pulmonary inflammation that is associat ed with allergic airway diseases, suggesting that inhibition of interleukin -5 is a viable treatment. The present review addresses the data that relate interleukin-5 to pulmonary inflammation and function in animal models, and the use of neutralizing anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibodies for the t reatment of asthma in humans.