Allergologia et immunopathologia
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"Immunopharmacology" evolved as a field of research in its own right when it was appreciated that pharmacological methods can contribute to the understanding of immune mechanisms on the one hand or can be used to influence or even control immune reactions at all stages and levels. The best studied subjects of immunopharmacology are release and effects of the chemical mediator substances which are responsible for the reactions of effector cells thus causing the clinical symptoms in allergic or inflammatory diseases. In the type I allergic (anaphylactic) reactions the primary target cells are tissue mast cells or basophil granulocytes which discharge their granular contents upon interaction of immunoglobulin E fixed to their surface with the specific antigen or--in the anaphylactoid reaction--upon stimulation with an appropriate chemical substance (so-called histamine-liberator). ⋯ In those mainly cytotoxic effects of lipases and hydrolases are involved. cAMP active agents have, therefore, only limited modulating effects and steroid hormones are more effective in inhibiting the acute lesions in type II and III allergies. Only during the last decade the involvement of chemical mediators in type IV (cellular immunity) allergic reactions has been appreciated. 26 different factors called lymphokines have been discovered and classified as mediators of cellular immune reactions. However, rather little is yet known about their chemical nature and about the influence of drugs on their production or action.