Interleukin-33 in asthma: how big of a role does it play?

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2011 Feb;11(1):7-11. doi: 10.1007/s11882-010-0153-8.

Abstract

In complex disorders such as asthma and allergic disease, the goal for developing disease-modifying biotherapeutics is to find a target that is a central instigator of immunologic activity. Interleukin (IL)-33 seems to be such a molecule, as it is one of the earliest-released signaling molecules following epithelial damage and can orchestrate the recruitment and activation of the cells responsible for disease. Unregulated IL-33 activity leads to activation of T-helper type 2 cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, and basophils, ultimately leading to increased expression of cytokines and chemokines that define the disease. As such, IL-33 is an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention with the goal of ameliorating disease. This review focuses on the role of IL-33 in promoting and maintaining the asthma phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*

Substances

  • IL1RL1 protein, human
  • IL33 protein, human
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface