Mediators of inflammation in the early and the late phase of allergic rhinitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides the reader with an overview of the early and the late phase of the immediate allergic reaction. Furthermore, recent publications are presented that could reveal important new insights into the mechanisms of allergic inflammation.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent work on the possible roles of nerve growth factor, nitric oxide synthases, several CC chemokines and other mediators is presented.

SUMMARY: Allergic rhinitis is characterized by the clinical symptoms of sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion. Frequently, these are accompanied by eye, ear and throat symptoms or postnasal drip. The symptoms arise as a result of inflammation induced by IgE-mediated immune response to a specific allergen. Inflammatory mediators are released and cells are activated and recruited to the mucosa. In this review, early and late phase responses of the allergic type I reaction are described, including the different cell types and mediators involved. Special attention is paid to new inflammatory processes to provide the reader with recent information.