Type 2 inflammation
Type 2 inflammation is a pattern of immune response. Its physiological function is to defend the body against helminths, but a dysregulation of the type 2 immune response has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases. Although it has traditionally been associated with tumor promotion, emerging evidence indicates a potential tumor-suppressive potential.
Molecular biology
, IL-33, and TSLP are alarmins released from damaged epithelial cells. These cytokines mediate the activation of type 2 T helper cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells, and dendritic cells. Th2 cells and ILC2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13.IL-4 further drives CD4+ T cell differentiation towards the Th2 subtype and induces isotype switching to IgE in B cells. IL-4 and IL-13 stimulate trafficking of eosinophils to the site of inflammation, while IL-5 promotes both eosinophil trafficking and production.
Dysregulation in human disease
Type 2 inflammation has been implicated in several chronic diseases:- Asthma
- Atopic dermatitis
- Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Bullous pemphigoid
Pharmacological targets
Several medicines have been developed that target mediators of type 2 inflammation:- IL-4-specific blockers:
- * Altrakincept
- * Pascolizumab
- IL-5-specific blockers:
- * Benralizumab
- * Mepolizumab
- * Reslizumab
- IL-13-specific blockers:
- * Lebrikizumab
- * Tralokinumab
- Dual IL-4 and IL-13 blockers:
- * Dupilumab
- IgE-blockers:
- * Ligelizumab
- * Omalizumab