Abstract: Several genes are upregulated in the lung of asthma or allergy sufferers. Many of the genes up-regulated in asthma are involved in arginine metabolism in the lung. Moreover, a set of 291 signature genes was found that can be used to indicate a patient's predilection for developing asthma or the patient's degree of suffering. Also, a set of 59 signature genes were found that indicate a patient's predilection for developing allergies. Many of the up-regulated genes relating to asthma were from the arginine metabolic pathway. Other genes, such as ADAM8, SPRR2A and SPRR2B were also strongly up-regulated in asthma. Treatment of asthma may be accomplished by administering compositions which decrease the levels of Arginase I, Arginase II, CAT2, or other arginase pathway members in the lung. Additionally, detection of altered levels of these proteins or the mRNA encoding them may be useful to diagnose the presence of asthma in a patient.

Abstract: Several genes are upregulated in the lung of asthma or allergy sufferers. Many of the genes up-regulated in asthma are involved in arginine metabolism in the lung. Moreover, a set of 291 signature genes was found that can be used to indicate a patient's predilection for developing asthma or the patient's degree of suffering. Also, a set of 59 signature genes were found that indicate a patient's predilection for developing allergies. Many of the up-regulated genes relating to asthma were from the arginine metabolic pathway. Other genes, such as ADAM8, SPRR2A and SPRR2B were also strongly up-regulated in asthma. Treatment of asthma may be accomplished by administering compositions which decrease the levels of Arginase I, Arginase II, CAT2, or other arginase pathway members in the lung. Additionally, detection of altered levels of these proteins or the mRNA encoding them may be useful to diagnose the presence of asthma in a patient.

Abstract: Several genes are upregulated in the lung of asthma or allergy sufferers. Many of the genes up-regulated in asthma are involved in arginine metabolism in the lung. Moreover, a set of 291 signature genes was found that can be used to indicate a patient's predilection for developing asthma or the patient's degree of suffering. Also, a set of 59 signature genes were found that indicate a patient's predilection for developing allergies. Many of the up-regulated genes relating to asthma were from the arginine metabolic pathway. Other genes, such as ADAM8, SPRR2A and SPRR2B were also strongly up-regulated in asthma. Treatment of asthma may be accomplished by administering compositions which decrease the levels of Arginase I, Arginase II, CAT2, or other arginase pathway members in the lung. Additionally, detection of altered levels of these proteins or the mRNA encoding them may be useful to diagnose the presence of asthma in a patient.

Abstract: A method of regulating CCR3 expression by transcriptional and mRNA control. In one embodiment, regulation occurs in a non-promoter, regulatory region of the CCR3 gene, such as untranslated exons 1, 2, and/or 3. This type of regulation has a preferential effect on eosinophilic cells; such selectivity advantageously produces less deleterious side effects when administered in a pharmaceutical preparation. Regulation of CCR3 expression by promoter targeting also presents a method to reduce CCR3 expression in a cell-specific or nonspecific manner. Other types of regulatory compounds do not demonstrate such a preferential effect. Because CCR3 is expressed on cells involved in inflammatory reactions, regulations of CCR3 provides an intervention site for asthma, as well as other allergic, inflammatory and hypersensitivity reactions, eosinophil-mediated diseases, and infectious disorders.

Abstract: A method and composition to target compounds into cells such as eosinophils. A ligand for a CCR-3 eosinophil surface receptor is provided under conditions to bind to the receptor and cause internalization of the ligand-CCR-3 complex. A compound, such as a drug in an active or inactive form, may be bound to the ligand and delivered to an intracellular site of the cell where it may subsequently become activated. The methods and compositions may be used to treat a variety of eosinophil-mediated disorders, for example, allergies.

Abstract: A method and composition to target compounds into cells such as eosinophils. A ligand for a CCR-3 eosinophil surface receptor is provided under conditions to bind to the receptor and cause internalization of the ligand-CCR-3 complex. A compound, such as a drug in an active or inactive form, may be bound to the ligand and delivered to an intracellular site of the cell where it may subsequently become activated. The methods and compositions may be used to treat a variety of eosinophil-mediated disorders, for example, allergies.