Abstract 2093 Pulmonary: Reactive Airway Diseases I Poster Symposium, Monday, 5/3

T lymphocytes are key modulators of the inflammatory immune response underlying the pathogenesis of asthma. T cells not only regulate antibody production, but they are also a major source of IL-5, the predominate cytokine influencing eosinophil development and influx. In animal models of asthma, eosinophilic airway inflammation is dependent upon the presence of CD4+ T lymphocytes, and depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes prevents the development of airway hyperreactivity and pulmonary eosinophilia in response to inhaled antigen. Most T lymphocytes express T cell receptors (TCRs) composed for α and β chains (TCRαβ cells); however, a unique class of T lymphocytes expressing TCRs with γ and δ chains (TCRγδ cells) has been identified in the mucosal immune system. These TCRγδ cells appear to have a role in immunosurveillance of epithelial surfaces. The present study was designed to assess the relative contributions of TCRαβ and TCRγδ cells in acute airway sensitization in a mouse model of asthma.

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