Eosinophils and Mast Cells in Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2016 Nov;36(4):719-734. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2016.06.008. Epub 2016 Sep 13.

Abstract

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) involves overexpression of proinflammatory mediators, including 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), resulting in constitutive overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes. Mast cells and eosinophils have roles in mediating many of the observed effects. Increased levels of both interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon (IFN)-γ are present in the tissue of patients with AERD. Previous studies showed that IL-4 is primarily responsible for the upregulation of LTC4S by mast cells. Our studies show that IFN-γ, but not IL-4, drives this process in eosinophils. This article examines the overall role that eosinophils and mast cells contribute to the pathophysiology of AERD.

Keywords: Arachidonic acid; Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease; Cyclooxygenase; Eosinophil; Leukotriene; Mast cell; Prostaglandin.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects*
  • Aspirin / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Eosinophils / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Mast Cells / immunology*
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Aspirin