Effects of anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody on the murine model of nasal allergy.

IL-5 is known to be closely related to the infiltration, activation and proliferation of eosinophils. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo effects of anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in the murine model of nasal allergy. The mAb treatment inhibited the antigen-induced late phase eosinophilia, but had no effects on the number of basophilic cells. It also inhibited early phase nasal symptoms, and tended to inhibit histamine hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that IL-5 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic nasal disorders.