Chemokines of epithelial cells in bronchial asthma

Asthma is an allergic disease caused by adverse reactions to harmless antigens (allergens) and is characterized by the recruitment of eosinophils, Th2 lymphocytes, mast cells and neutrophils into the tissue site of inflammation, to the lungs. This accumulation of leukocytes is mediated by the generation of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines). Chemokines are low molecular weight proteins, functioning by binding to specific receptors on the cell surface. Binding of chemokines and their receptors is highly promiscuous and subsequent activation of effector cells is very heterogeneous, which can often complicate research in this area. However, chemokines and their receptors are important potential therapeutic targets in allergic diseases including asthma, mainly because of their central role in cell activation and inflammation. Chemokines are secreted by cells of the immune system and cells of various tissues of the body. Recently, attention turns to the role of epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of asthma. Bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by antigens produce cytokines and defense molecules used for the amplification of inflammatory processes and regulate the aktivity of effector cells. Impaired cytokine regulation may lead to the development of various lung diseases including asthma. This work..