Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy - Volume 4, Issue 3, 2005

Both acute and chronic inflammatory responses are common features of a variety of pathological conditions. Likewise, allergic inflammation is an important reaction in ailments such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. In all of these conditions, the severity and fidelity of the inflammatory response is dependent on the recruitment of activated inflammatory cells into inflamed sites and on cellular communication. Although t Read More

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are usually thought of as the leukocyte population involved in acute inflammatory responses, acting as a first line of defense against invading microorganisms. These terminally differentiated cells are generally not thought of as an important source of de novo synthesis of polypeptide mediators. Recent progress has shown, however, that PMNs are able to synthesize cytokines in respons Read More

The inflammatory process is usually tightly regulated, involving both signals that initiate and maintain inflammation and signals that shut the process down. An imbalance between the two signals leaves inflammation unchecked, resulting in cellular and tissue damage. Macrophages are a major component of the mononuclear phagocyte system that consists of closely related cells of bone marrow origin, including blood mo Read More

Immune and inflammatory responses are governed by antigen-specific T cells, whose activation, differentiation and effector function are induced by signals delivered via the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and by costimulatory and cytokine receptors. The molecular events leading to the activation of naïve T cells have been extensively studied and are well characterized. Much less is known about the molecular and bioche Read More

It is widely accepted that T cells with defective function play a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The detailed molecular mechanism underlying the aberrant function of SLE T cells is now being revealed. The TCR zeta chain, transcription factor, elf-1, inflammation signal transducer NF-kB, and PKC theta have been identified as the responsible molecules. In contrast to the defective sign Read More

The mortality of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain high despite advances in our knowledge and intensive care. This supports the contention that we need to further our understanding of the mediators that are involved in the pathogenesis of ARDS. The pathogenesis of ARDS proceeds as a continuum from exudation and inflammation to a fibroproliferative phase of diffuse alve Read More

Bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) are known to play an integral role in the airway defense mechanism via mucociliary system as well as mechanical barriers. Recent studies further indicate that BEC produce and release biologically active compounds including lipid mediators, growth factors, endothelin and a variety of cytokines/chemokines important in the pathogenesis of airway disorders. Cytokines and chemokines produce Read More

The incidence of asthma has continued to rise worldwide with the number of severe asthmatic episodes dramatically increasing especially in children. Over the past several years researchers have realized that by controlling the influx of inflammatory cells that damage the airway and perpetuate the chronic responses, asthmatic disease can be attenuated. The modulation of the immune/inflammatory response has bee Read More

Endothelial cells are involved in leukocyte extravasation underlying inflammation. A number of adhesion molecules play a role in leukocyte-endothelial interactions. New vessel formation, termed angiogenesis, is also crucial for leukocyte extravasation. The outcome of neovascularization is highly dependent on the balance or imbalance between angiogenic mediators and inhibitors. There have been several attempts to the Read More

Bone homeostasis is maintained by a balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Osteoblasts not only play a central role in bone formation by synthesizing multiple bone matrix proteins, but regulate osteoclast maturation by soluble factors and cognate interaction, resulting in bone resorption. Osteoclast maturation requires stimulation by RANKL expressed on osteoblasts, and the cognat Read More

Although in the past, keratinocytes were considered simply as passive targets of immunological attack from infiltrating T lymphocytes, a number of studies have definitively demonstrated that keratinocytes actively participate in the cutaneous immune responses. Upon activation, keratinocytes express a plethora of cytokines, chemokines and accessory molecules, which can transmit both positive and negative signals to cells of i Read More

Many brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington, stroke, head trauma, and infection, are associated with inflammation that is involved in neuropathologenesis and hyperalgesis. Microglia and astrocytes act as immune cells in the inflamed brain. Both cell types, but especially microglia, are thought to contribute to the onset of inflammation in many brain dise Read More

The mesangium occupies a central anatomical position in the glomerulus, and also plays an important regulatory role in immunemediated glomerular diseases, with an active participation in the response to local inflammation. In general, the mesangial cell responses to the pathological stimuli are associated with the main events of glomerular injury: leukocyte infiltration, cell proliferation and fibrosis. Leukocyte migration Read More

Each year, worldwide, there is an increasing number of patients with chronic kidney disease that progress to end-stage renal disease. Glomerulonephritis (GN) is the commonest single cause of end-stage renal failure in the world [1]. GN can be a manifestation of primary renal injury or may be a secondary feature of a systemic disease process, for example Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Anti-Neutrop Read More

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of enzymes that collectively can degrade all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). MMPs play an important role in many physiological processes such as embryonic development and growth, tissue remodelling and repair. Overexpression and activation of MMPs contributes to many pathologies, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, tumour progression Read More

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are metabolic intermediates in the production of potent androgens, estrogens and other less well-characterized steroids. DHEA(S)1 and closely related steroid hormones have a variety of immunological effects both in vitro and in vivo in experimental animals and humans. Many of these effects have been demonstrated in animal models where there i Read More

Chemokines are small secreted proteins that chemoattract and activate immune and non-immune cells both in vivo and in vitro. Besides their well-established role in the immune system, several recent reports have suggested that chemokines and their receptors may also play a role in the central nervous system (CNS). The best-known central action is their ability to act as immuno-inflammatory mediators. Indeed, these pr Read More

Accidents evoked by venomous animals are common in tropical regions. In Brazil, envenomation evoked by snakes, spiders and scorpions are an important public health problem. Their venoms are composed of a great number of toxins, which are capable of acting on tissue and plasma components with consequent toxic and pharmacological effects. On the other hand, the diversity of venom composition makes them im Read More