Eosinophilic inflammation is associated with elevation of interleukin-5 in the airways of patients with spontaneous symptomatic asthma
In vitro and in vivo studies have shown an important role for interleukin-5 (IL-5) in regulating
eosinophil proliferation, survival, and effector function. Because eosinophilic inflammation is
an important component of symptomatic episodes of asthma, we have investigated whether
increased levels of IL-5 protein are present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients
with spontaneously symptomatic asthma (FEV1, 61% predicted; FEF25%-75%, 30%
predicted) compared with patients with asymptomatic asthma (FEV1, 88% predicted; …
eosinophil proliferation, survival, and effector function. Because eosinophilic inflammation is
an important component of symptomatic episodes of asthma, we have investigated whether
increased levels of IL-5 protein are present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients
with spontaneously symptomatic asthma (FEV1, 61% predicted; FEF25%-75%, 30%
predicted) compared with patients with asymptomatic asthma (FEV1, 88% predicted; …