Imiquimod Asthma, Airway Inflammation And Th2 Chemokine Of Stat6 Expression

A key feature of many immunological disorders is the expression of a distinct cytokine pattern by T helper (Th) cells. Allergic diseases, like bronchial asthma, have been found to be associated with a humoral (Th2-type) immune response after sensitization with environmental antigens, such as pollen. This observation has been supported by numerous studies showing increased production of Th2-cytokines, or Th2-cytokine mRNA in tissues with allergic inflammation. Thus, counterbalancing this excess of Th2-cytokine production by supporting Thl skewing of T lymphocytes seems to be an appropriate means to treat or prevent the development of allergen-mediated diseases.Imiquimod belongs to the family of imidazoquinolines, which are known to have antiviral and antitumor properties. In recent studies it was shown that imiquimod modulate the Thl/Th2 response by inducing the production of Thl cytokines like IFN-γ, and by inhibiting the Th2 cytokins like IL-4. These date suggest that imiquimod may have therapeutic applications in atopic diseases such as allergic asthma that are associated with an overexpression of Th2 cytokines.Part1Modulation of Th1 and Th2 levels of mice spleen with the immuneresponse modifiers, imiquimod Objectives: To aberve the effect of imiquimod on Thl and Th2 levels of...