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Th17 immunity in patients with allergic asthma
Yang Zhao1, Jiong Yang, Ya-Dong Gao
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital and Department of Respiratory Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|October 22, 2009
Summary
This study reveals that T helper 17 (Th17) cell immunity, alongside Th2 immunity, plays a role in allergic asthma pathogenesis. Increased Th17 cells and related cytokines correlate with asthma severity, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Allergic asthma is an inflammatory condition involving T helper (Th) cells.
- A Th1/Th2 imbalance is recognized in asthma pathogenesis.
- The role of Th17 cells in human allergic asthma systemic immunity remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of Th17 immunity to systemic immune responses in allergic asthmatic patients.
- To compare Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell frequencies and related cytokine levels in asthmatics versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell frequencies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 29 allergic asthmatics and 12 healthy controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Luminex measured cytokine concentrations (IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25).
- Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assessed retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gammat (RORgammat) levels.
Main Results:
- Allergic asthmatics showed higher percentages of Th2 and Th17 cells and elevated Th2/Th17 cytokine concentrations compared to controls.
- Th17 cell percentages and plasma IL-17 and IL-22 levels increased with asthma severity.
- Elevated IL-17 and IL-23 concentrations and increased RORgammat levels were observed in asthmatics.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal Th17 immunity, in addition to Th2 immunity, is implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.
- Findings suggest Th17-related pathways as potential targets for managing allergic asthma.
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