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Understanding asthma pathogenesis: linking innate and adaptive immunity
Stephanie C Eisenbarth1, Suzanne Cassel, Kim Bottomly
1Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. Stephanie.Eisenbarth@yale.edu
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|November 19, 2004
Summary
Understanding T-helper type 2 (Th2) immunity is key to preventing allergic asthma. Innate immune system signals are crucial for initiating Th2 responses to allergens, but adaptive immunity can also drive sensitization.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Asthma Pathogenesis
Background:
- Allergic asthma requires understanding T-helper type 2 (Th2) immunity.
- Identifying factors governing Th2 immunity is crucial for treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- Define priming and differentiation steps for antiallergen Th2 immunity.
- Highlight stimuli that promote Th2 immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent findings in innate and adaptive immunity.
- Analysis of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in Th2-mediated disease models.
- Examination of dendritic cell roles in immune interplay.
Main Results:
- Innate immunity discoveries inform adaptive immune initiation in allergic disease.
- Toll-like receptors (TLR) modulate Th2-mediated disease.
- Dendritic cells are central to innate and adaptive immune interactions.
- Alternative sensitization pathways involving adaptive triggers identified.
Conclusions:
- Innate immune system permission is necessary for initiating Th2 responses to aeroallergens.
- Adaptive immune system can act as an adjuvant during ongoing Th2 inflammation.
- This mechanism may explain polysensitization in atopic patients, offering a therapeutic target.