The effects of ethanol, tumor necrosis factor, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on lung antibacterial defenses.

In summary, evidence is emerging indicating that alcohol-abusing hosts are seriously undermined by profound disturbances in cytokine production and activity. These alterations likely play a critical role in the development and clinical sequelae of their immunosuppressed status. Recombinant technology currently provides the clinician with the potential to immunologically reconstitute and restore host defenses in these hosts. While the ultimate role of these agents in patients will require extensive clinical investigations into their multiple biologic effects and interactions, cytokines, when properly employed, will likely have a major impact on the prevention and treatment of many life-threatening diseases. For the first time, we possess the potential to regulate essential functions of the host defense system which may prevent the development and mitigate the severity of infections in these and other immunocompromised hosts.