The role of dendritic cells and regulatory T cells in the regulation of allergic asthma

Authors:
Burchell JT, Strickland DH, Stumbles PA

Authors notes:
Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2010;125:1-10

Keywords:
dendritic cells, regulatory T cells, regulation of allergic asthma

Abstract:
Airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is one of the major clinical features of allergic airways disease including allergic asthma, however the immunological mechanisms leading to the induction and regulation of this disorder are not fully understood. In this review we will summarise the evidence of a number of studies, principally in murine models of AHR, suggesting a central role for respiratory tract dendritic cells (RTDC) in the induction of AHR through the generation of lung-homing, allergen-specific effector T cells.