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The Role Of Interleukin-5 (IL5) In Vivo: Studies With IL5 Deficient Mice
Matthaei, Klaus I.; Foster, Paul S. & Young, Ian G.
Abstract
Eosinophil recruitment is a characteristic feature of a number of
pathological conditions and was the topic of the recent International
Symposium on allergic inflammation, asthma, parasitic and infectious
diseases (Rio de Janeiro, June 3-5, 1996). Since interleukin5 (IL5) is
believed to regulate the growth, differentiation and activation of
eosinophils (Coffman et al. 1989, Sanderson 1992), the role of eosinophils
and IL5 are closely linked. Although IL5 specifically regulates
eosinophilia in vivo and this is its most well established activity,
it is becoming clear that IL5 also has other biological effects. The recent
derivation of an IL5 deficient mouse (Kopf et al. 1996), provides a model
for exploring not only the role of IL5 and eosinophils but also other novel
activities of IL5. Of note is that although the IL5 deficient mice cannot
elicit a pronounced eosinophilia in response to inflammatory stimulation
following aeroallergen challenge or parasite infection they still produce
basal levels of eosinophils that appear to be morphologically and
functionally normal. However, the basal levels of eosinophils appear
insufficient for normal host defence as IL5 deficiency has now been shown
to compromise defence against several helminth infections. In addition, IL5
deficient mice appear to have functional deficiencies in B-1 B lymphocytes
and in IgA production.
Keywords
interleukin-5 - knockout - eosinophils - parasite infection - B-1 B lymphocytes - IgA production
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