The role of IL-5 in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Eosinophils are known to express cytokines capable of promoting fibrosis, Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is important in regulating eosinophilopoiesis, eosinophil recruitment and activation, Lung IL-5 expression is elevated in pulmonary fibrosis, wherein the eosinophil is a primary source of fibrogenic cytokines. To determine the role of IL-5 in pulmonary fibrosis, the effects of anti-IL-5 antibody were investigated in a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Fibrosis was induced in mice by endotracheal bleomycin treatment. Animals were also treated with either anti-IL-5 antibody or control IgG, Lungs were then analyzed for fibrosis, eosinophil influx, chemotactic activity, and cytokine expression, The results show that a primary chemotactic activity at the height of eosinophil recruitment is IL-5, Furthermore, anti-IL-5 antibody caused significant reduction in lung eosinophilia, cytokine expression, and fibrosis, These findings taken together suggest an important role for IL-5 in pulmonary fibrosis via its ability to regulate eosinophilic inflammation, and thus eosinophil-dependent fibrogenic cytokine production.