Vol 75, No 2 (2007)
Review paper
Published online: 2007-06-03
Submitted: 2013-02-22
Role of eotaxin in the pathophysiology of asthma
Magdalena Paplińska, Hanna Grubek-Jaworska, Ryszarda Chazan
Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2007;75(2):180-185.
Vol 75, No 2 (2007)
REVIEWS
Published online: 2007-06-03
Submitted: 2013-02-22
Abstract
Asthma is associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation and eosinophils are believed to be important in the pathogenesis
of asthma. IL-5 has been considered the central mediator for eosinophilic proliferation, differentiation and eosinophilic
inflammation, but results of recent studies suggest that besides IL-5, eotaxin may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma.
Eotaxin is CC chemokine first isolated from guinea pig bronchoalveolar lavage. It selectively binds to a specific receptor
(CCR3) highly expressed on eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells being important in the pathogenesis of asthma. Eotaxin is
produced mainly by epithelial cells of lung and gut, to mediate organ preferential attraction of eosinophils. Production of
eotaxin is stimulated by IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α. Human eotaxin family includes: eotaxin-1 (CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24) and
eotaxin-3 (CCL26). It seems that eotaxin-3 may be expressed following allergen challenge. Studies with glucocorticosteroids
have shown some inhibitory effect on eotaxin production in cell culture in vitro however, very little in vivo data exists in
humans relating to corticosteroid effects on chemokine levels. CCR3 receptor is considered as the possible therapeutic
target in asthma treatment.
Abstract
Asthma is associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation and eosinophils are believed to be important in the pathogenesis
of asthma. IL-5 has been considered the central mediator for eosinophilic proliferation, differentiation and eosinophilic
inflammation, but results of recent studies suggest that besides IL-5, eotaxin may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma.
Eotaxin is CC chemokine first isolated from guinea pig bronchoalveolar lavage. It selectively binds to a specific receptor
(CCR3) highly expressed on eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells being important in the pathogenesis of asthma. Eotaxin is
produced mainly by epithelial cells of lung and gut, to mediate organ preferential attraction of eosinophils. Production of
eotaxin is stimulated by IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α. Human eotaxin family includes: eotaxin-1 (CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24) and
eotaxin-3 (CCL26). It seems that eotaxin-3 may be expressed following allergen challenge. Studies with glucocorticosteroids
have shown some inhibitory effect on eotaxin production in cell culture in vitro however, very little in vivo data exists in
humans relating to corticosteroid effects on chemokine levels. CCR3 receptor is considered as the possible therapeutic
target in asthma treatment.
Keywords
asthma; CCR3 receptor; eosinophils; eotaxins
Keywords
asthma
CCR3 receptor
eosinophils
eotaxins
Authors
Magdalena Paplińska
Hanna Grubek-Jaworska
Ryszarda Chazan