Costimulation and allergic responses: immune and bioinformatic analyses

Abstract

Asthma is a complex polygenic disease, the prevalence of which has been on the rise for last few decades. Defining the underpinnings of allergic immune responses and the factors predisposing to asthma are fundamental investigative challenges. T cell costimulatory pathways play critical roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. In this review, we analyze the current state of the art of T cell costimulation in allergic airway inflammation. Also, we discuss both immune and bioinformatic approaches as potential strategies for analyzing multiple costimulatory pathways relevant to asthma.