Recent advances in the role of NKT cells in allergic diseases and asthma

摘要: Asthma is the result of chronic airway inflammation that dominated by presence eosinophils and CD4+ T lymphocytes. cells include several subsets play a critical role in orchestrating inflammation, predominantly secreting interleukin-4 interleukin-13. Recently, research identified new subset cells, natural killer (NKT) which also express CD4 marker. In contrast to conventional NKT do not respond peptide antigens, but rather glycolipids. animal models asthma, direct activation glycolipids results secretion extensive amounts cytokines triggers development hyperreactivity. Moreover, patients with can be found bronchoalveolar lavage fluids significant amounts. These data strongly suggest an important asthma pathogenesis.