ABSTRACT
In many chronic diseases, activation of the immune system and tissue inflammation play a central role in the pathogenesis of these disorders1. The consequences of immune activation are widespread, including immune recognition by T lymphocytes, the release of numerous proinflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of various inflammatory cells, which further release toxic mediators enhancing tissue inflammation. In some diseases the predominant inflammatory cell type is the neutrophil, in allergic diseases eosinophils, basophils and mast cells are prominent, while in others mononuclear cells (lymphocytes, monocytes) dominate. In virtually all of the chronic inflammatory diseases, glucocorticoids (GCs) remain the most effective form of therapy2.
