247
development, progression, and regression of many types of aggressive cancers have
been thoroughly established. Eicosanoid prostaglandin synthesizing enzyme,
COX2, has been found to boost neoplastic transformation, angiogenesis, invasion,
and metastasis (Greene et al. 2011). A potent COX2-specific anti-inflammatory
drug, coxibs, has proved to be effective in suppressing inflammatory complications
and the treatment of cancer.
Prevailing chronic inflammatory response in obese individuals results in deregulated immune system priming the initiation of type 2 diabetes as a result of devastating alterations in adipose tissue, liver, and pancreatic islets. The infiltration of
immune cells occurs at the site of inflammation in the adipose tissue with the release
of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin1 (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (El-Asrar 2012). This persistent inflammation
promotes fibrosis and the permanent loss of tissues and organ failure that embody
diabetic complications. Many proinflammatory cytokines and acute-phase reactants
are involved in multiple metabolic pathways regulating insulin resistance and adipocyte function. Inflammatory enzymes such as COX, LOX, and cytochrome P450
enzymes are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes by interfering with pancreatic β-cell function and its destruction.
10.3.2 Allergic and Autoimmune Disorders
Asthma is an airway hypersensitivity disorder, initiated upon contraction with allergens, and results in hyperinflammatory response characterized by red and swollen
bronchial tubes. The pathogenesis of allergic asthma is complex and grouped under
chronic inflammatory disorder. Many inflammatory cells (mast cells, eosinophils,
neutrophils, T lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and macrophages) are involved in this
anaphylaxis with the release of a wide array of inflammatory mediators, viz., histamine, leukotrienes, NO (nitric oxide), and various cytokines. IgE (Immunoglobulin
E) is the antibody primarily involved in the activation of allergic reactions. Once
contracted with the antigen, IgE attaches to the cells expressing high affinity to IgE
receptor (mast cell, basophils, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes) and triggers
degranulation of the mast cell, aiding the release of inflammatory mediator histamine. The important cellular components mediating the asthmatic reaction include
mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, and epithelial
cells. However, among these, TH 2 lymphocytes are more significant as they are
directly involved in IgE synthesis and also release a variety of cytokines such as
IL-5, IL-4, IL-13 1 L-1β, and TNF-α. Although many proinflammatory mediators
are strongly associated with asthma pathogenesis, histamines and leukotrienes are
considered as the factors with the most devastating effects leading to the airway
smooth-muscle constriction and mucus production. These reactions finally symptomatically appear as edema, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, characterizing asthmatic manifestation. Antihistamine- and corticosteroid-based therapeutics
are widely employed for asthma treatment. However, leukotriene inhibitors are also
emerging as a preferred treatment option.
10 Anti-inflammatory Molecules: Immune System Mediators
development, progression, and regression of many types of aggressive cancers have
been thoroughly established. Eicosanoid prostaglandin synthesizing enzyme,
COX2, has been found to boost neoplastic transformation, angiogenesis, invasion,
and metastasis (Greene et al. 2011). A potent COX2-specific anti-inflammatory
drug, coxibs, has proved to be effective in suppressing inflammatory complications
and the treatment of cancer.
Prevailing chronic inflammatory response in obese individuals results in deregulated immune system priming the initiation of type 2 diabetes as a result of devastating alterations in adipose tissue, liver, and pancreatic islets. The infiltration of
immune cells occurs at the site of inflammation in the adipose tissue with the release
of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin1 (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (El-Asrar 2012). This persistent inflammation
promotes fibrosis and the permanent loss of tissues and organ failure that embody
diabetic complications. Many proinflammatory cytokines and acute-phase reactants
are involved in multiple metabolic pathways regulating insulin resistance and adipocyte function. Inflammatory enzymes such as COX, LOX, and cytochrome P450
enzymes are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes by interfering with pancreatic β-cell function and its destruction.
10.3.2 Allergic and Autoimmune Disorders
Asthma is an airway hypersensitivity disorder, initiated upon contraction with allergens, and results in hyperinflammatory response characterized by red and swollen
bronchial tubes. The pathogenesis of allergic asthma is complex and grouped under
chronic inflammatory disorder. Many inflammatory cells (mast cells, eosinophils,
neutrophils, T lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and macrophages) are involved in this
anaphylaxis with the release of a wide array of inflammatory mediators, viz., histamine, leukotrienes, NO (nitric oxide), and various cytokines. IgE (Immunoglobulin
E) is the antibody primarily involved in the activation of allergic reactions. Once
contracted with the antigen, IgE attaches to the cells expressing high affinity to IgE
receptor (mast cell, basophils, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes) and triggers
degranulation of the mast cell, aiding the release of inflammatory mediator histamine. The important cellular components mediating the asthmatic reaction include
mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, and epithelial
cells. However, among these, TH 2 lymphocytes are more significant as they are
directly involved in IgE synthesis and also release a variety of cytokines such as
IL-5, IL-4, IL-13 1 L-1β, and TNF-α. Although many proinflammatory mediators
are strongly associated with asthma pathogenesis, histamines and leukotrienes are
considered as the factors with the most devastating effects leading to the airway
smooth-muscle constriction and mucus production. These reactions finally symptomatically appear as edema, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, characterizing asthmatic manifestation. Antihistamine- and corticosteroid-based therapeutics
are widely employed for asthma treatment. However, leukotriene inhibitors are also
emerging as a preferred treatment option.
10 Anti-inflammatory Molecules: Immune System Mediators