Description
IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF are important in regulating eosinophil development. Of these three cytokines, IL-5 is the most specific to the eosinophil lineage and is responsible for selective terminal differentiation of eosinophils. The IL-5 receptor is composed of an alpha and a beta-common chain. The alpha subunit is specific for the IL-5 molecule, whereas the beta-common subunit also recognized by IL-3 and GM-CSF. IL-5 is produced by both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells including T cells, granulocytes, and natural helper cells. It is associated with the cause of several allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis and asthma