Abstract
Allergic diseases and asthma are caused by dysregulated Th2-type immune responses, which drive disease development in susceptible individuals. Immune tolerance to allergens prevents inflammatory symptoms in the respiratory mucosa and provides protection against inflammation in the airways. Increasing evidence indicates that Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in immune tolerance and control Th2-biased responses. Tregs develop in the thymus from CD4 + T cells (natural Tregs) and also in the periphery by the conversion of naïve CD4 + T cells (induced Tregs). Increased susceptibility to allergy and airway inflammation is hypothesized to result from impaired development and function of Tregs. Thus, strategies to induce allergen-specific Tregs hold great promise for treatment and prevention of asthma.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 525-531 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | American Journal of Pathology |
Volume | 177 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine