Human lung anaphylaxis results in rapid release of interleukin-4.

Abstract

Interleukin-4 has been implicated as having numerous roles in the inflammatory responses characteristic of allergic asthma. Interleukin-4 has been shown to be involved in IgE synthesis, upregulation of BCAM-1 on endothelium, and promotion of inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways. We therefore examined whether IL-4 was produced after an IgE-mediated response in human lung samples. Anti-IgE treatment of 12 human lungs resulted in the significant release of IL-4 within 30 minutes. Although the source of released IL-4 is unknown, the rapid release of IL-4 suggests that cells with performed stores, such as mast cells and eosinophils, are involved. Once released, IL-4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.