Part 1: Lymphocytes as Orchestrators of Airway Inflammation. T-Lymphocytes in Allergic Asthma. Immune Regulation By T Cells Secreting Different Cytokines. T Cell Subtypes in Allergy. Hyposensitisation of Allergic Immune Responses and T Cell Anergy. New Prospects for Immunotherapy in Asthma. Part 2: Eosinophils in Asthma. Possible Role of IL-5 Ligand-Receptor System in Eosinophilia. The IL-5 Receptor on Human Eosinophils. The Mobilization and Activation of Eosinophils. Eosinophil Derived Pro-Inflammatory Mediators. Mechanisms of Immediate Hypersensitivity and Hyperresponsiveness: Mediators, Antagonists and Role of Interleukins. The Role of Cytokines in Eosinophilia and Modulatory Effects of Glucocorticoids. Immunopharmacology of the Eosinophil in Asthma. Matrix Components of Airways and Their Deposition in Asthma. Part 3: Monocyte and Macrophage Function in Asthma. Role of Monocytes-Macrophages in Bronchial Asthma. Mast Cells and Their Role in Inflammation. Part 4: New Perspectives in Asthma. Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Asthma. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Novel Selective Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors. Concluding Remarks. Possibilities for Future Therapies.

It is well established that asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airway mucosa and drugs like inhaled glucocorticoids are now commonly introduced early in therapy. A characteristic feature of this disease is the vast number of eosinophils in airway tissue, although many other migratory and resident inflammatory cells with the capacity to synthesize and release cytokines and putative asthma mediators are present in the inflamed mucosa. The cross-talk between lymphocytes and these cells and the role of cytokines in complex biological networks are currently areas of intense research.
This volume gathers together chapters and discussions on the biology of immunocompetent and inflammatory cells, cellular interplay and communication, and on the relative importance of cells and mediators in disease.
It should help contribute to further insights into the pathology of asthma and to the development of novel efficacious drugs for the treatment of asthma and related respiratory disorders.