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Related Concept Videos

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

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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:
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Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

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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.
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Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

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Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
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Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

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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...
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Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

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Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
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Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
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Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy

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Natural killer cells in asthma.

Magdalena M Gorska1

  • 1aNational Jewish Health, Denver bUniversity of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.

Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|November 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells play a dual role in asthma, promoting allergic responses and inflammation, but also resolving inflammation. Environmental factors dictate whether NK cells exacerbate or alleviate asthma symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are increasingly recognized for roles beyond cancer surveillance and antiviral defense.
  • Recent research highlights NK cell involvement in allergic diseases, particularly asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the multifaceted role of NK cells in asthma.
  • To explore how NK cells influence allergic sensitization, inflammation, and asthma exacerbations.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research findings.
  • Analysis of studies investigating NK cell activation and function in asthma models and human subjects.

Main Results:

  • NK cells are activated by allergens and promote allergic sensitization, type-2 immunity, eosinophilic inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness.

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Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
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Flow Cytometric Analysis for Identification of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells of Murine Lung
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  • Respiratory viral infections, especially in allergic individuals, can lead to NK cell-mediated asthma exacerbations.
  • Prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants can program NK cells, predisposing to asthma.
  • NK cells can also act antagonistically, suppressing CD4+ T cells and type-3 immunity to resolve inflammation and prevent asthma development.

    • Conclusions:

    • NK cells are crucial players in allergic inflammation, with context-dependent roles.
    • The environmental context significantly influences whether NK cells act as protagonists or antagonists in asthma.