Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Myeloid dendritic cells type 2 in allergic asthma
1Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Background:
Myeloid dendritic cells type 2 (mDC2s) are a new subtype of DCs identified in both the circulation and the lung and suggested to have a role in allergic asthma.
Methods:
Circulating mDC2s were enumerated in 19 healthy, 18 atopic nonasthmatic, 18 mild atopic asthmatic, and 16 moderate/severe atopic asthmatic subjects using flow cytometry.
Results:
The number of circulating mDC2s was significantly lower in atopic subjects compared with healthy controls and in asthmatic subjects compared with nonasthmatic subjects. There was a trend toward lower levels of circulating mDC2s with increasing allergy and asthma severity. The largest differences were seen in moderate/severe atopic asthmatics being 430.78 ± 48.91/ml compared with healthy controls being 767.05 ± 101.64/ml (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Circulating mDC2s are lower in atopic and asthmatic subjects, which suggests that these cells efflux from the blood into the airways in patients with allergic disease.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
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:
Asthma I: Introduction
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
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.

