Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways, most commonly driven by immuno-inflammatory responses to ubiquitous airborne antigens. Epidemiological studies have shown that disease is initiated early in life when the immune and respiratory systems are functionally immature and less able to maintain homeostasis in the face of continuous antigen challenge. Here, we examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie initial aeroallergen sensitization and the ensuing regulation of secondary responses to inhaled allergens in the airway mucosa. In particular, we focus on how T-regulatory (Treg) cells influence early asthma initiation and the potential of Treg cells as therapeutic targets for drug development in asthma.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Allergens / adverse effects
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Allergens / immunology*
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Animals
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Asthma* / immunology
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Asthma* / pathology
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Asthma* / therapy
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Cell Extracts / administration & dosage
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Cell Extracts / therapeutic use
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Child, Preschool
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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Dendritic Cells / cytology
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Dendritic Cells / drug effects
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Dendritic Cells / immunology
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Drug Delivery Systems
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Epidemiologic Studies
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Humans
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Immunity*
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Immunization
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Immunoglobulin E / biosynthesis
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Immunotherapy
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / drug effects
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Lymph Nodes / immunology*
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Mice
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Probiotics / administration & dosage
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Probiotics / therapeutic use
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Respiratory Mucosa / immunology*
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Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
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Th1-Th2 Balance / drug effects
Substances
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Allergens
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Broncho-Vaxom
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Cell Extracts
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Cytokines
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Immunoglobulin E