Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
07:52
Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
A role for natural killer T cells in asthma
Dale T Umetsu1, Rosemarie H DeKruyff
1Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital Boston, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 1 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. dale.umetsu@childrens.harvard.edu
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|October 28, 2006
Summary
Natural killer T cells are crucial for asthma development. These cells, distinct from T helper 2 cells, play a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Airway hyper-reactivity is a key feature of asthma.
- Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) have been implicated in asthma development in mouse models.
- NKT cells with a T-helper-2-like phenotype are abundant in the lungs of chronic asthma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of NKT cells in asthma pathogenesis.
- To differentiate the role of NKT cells from T helper 2 cells in asthma.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on NKT cells and asthma.
- Analysis of NKT cell phenotype and cytokine production in asthma patients.
- Comparison of NKT cell function with T helper 2 cell function.
Main Results:
- NKT cells are required for airway hyper-reactivity in mouse models of asthma.
- NKT cells in chronic asthma patients exhibit a T-helper-2-like phenotype.
- NKT cells express a restricted T-cell receptor and respond to glycolipids.
Conclusions:
- NKT cells play a critical, previously unrecognized role in asthma pathogenesis.
- NKT cells have a distinct role in asthma, separate from T helper 2 cells.
- Targeting NKT cells may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for asthma.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:25Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...