Allergic models and cytokines.

Cytokines are proinflammatory protein mediators produced by many cells, including mast cells, T lymphocytes, eosinophils, airway epithelial cells, and macrophages. There are numerous in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies showing that cytokines are released as a result of allergic reactions. Cytokines mediate allergic inflammation by activating eosinophils, promoting mast cell development, regulating immunoglobulin isotype switching to immunoglobulin E, modulating adhesion molecule regulation, and promoting both neutrophil and eosinophil chemotaxis. Furthermore, there are data that show the pro-inflammatory effects of cytokines may be blocked by cytokine antagonists. This report reviews the in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies of allergic models of cytokine production and regulation. It also discusses the specific roles of cytokines in the allergic inflammatory response and asthma.