The regulatory role of natural killer T cells in the airways

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2010 Apr;42(4):529-34. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.10.022. Epub 2009 Nov 6.

Abstract

Asthma, an inflammatory disorder of the airways, has been considered a disease mediated by allergen-specific Th2 cells and eosinophils, and controlled by allergen-specific regulatory T cells. This paradigm can explain many but features of asthma, but Th2 targeted therapies in patients with asthma have not been as successful as might be predicted by this paradigm. These observations have suggested that other cell types, such as Natural Killer T cells, may play an important role in asthma. In this review, we discuss the data that support the notion that NKT cells critically regulate the development of asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glycolipids / immunology
  • Glycolipids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / metabolism*
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / pathology
  • Respiratory System / immunology
  • Respiratory System / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Glycolipids
  • Interleukin-17