Kapsenberg M L
Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Toxicol Lett. 1996 Aug;86(2-3):79-83. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(96)03676-4.
Small molecular weight chemicals may irritate tissues via the induction of the production of various proinflammatory and chemotactic molecules. The structure of these irritants is heterogenous, as is the pattern of their effects. Chemicals are potentially allergenic (i.e. haptens) when they are able to bind proteins such as immune response molecules. Sensitization will occur when these haptens additionally induce irritation resulting from an intrinsic adjuvant's activity of the chemical. In most cases haptens induce the activation of hapten-specific T cells with a type 1 cytokine profile mediating delayed hypersensitivity. A limited number of haptens induce the production of type 2 cytokines in T cells and, consequently, allergic reactions after inhalation. Similarly, inhaled proteins become allergenic when they activate protein allergen-specific T cells producing type 2 cytokines. In many individuals this cytokine profile is associated with atopy. It must be expected, however, that a type 2 cytokine profile can also be inflicted by the action of various adjuvants types, such as biologically active small molecular weight chemicals and proteins (i.e. enzymes) and microorganisms, thereby promoting allergic reactions.
小分子化学物质可通过诱导多种促炎和趋化分子的产生来刺激组织。这些刺激物的结构多种多样，其作用模式也是如此。当化学物质能够与诸如免疫反应分子等蛋白质结合时，它们就具有潜在的致敏性（即半抗原）。当这些半抗原额外诱导因化学物质固有的佐剂活性而产生的刺激时，就会发生致敏。在大多数情况下，半抗原会诱导具有1型细胞因子谱的半抗原特异性T细胞活化，介导迟发型超敏反应。少数半抗原会诱导T细胞产生2型细胞因子，从而在吸入后引发过敏反应。同样，吸入的蛋白质在激活产生2型细胞因子的蛋白质过敏原特异性T细胞时会变得具有致敏性。在许多个体中，这种细胞因子谱与特应性有关。然而，可以预期的是，2型细胞因子谱也可能由各种佐剂类型的作用导致，例如具有生物活性的小分子化学物质、蛋白质（即酶）和微生物，从而促进过敏反应。
