Negative regulation of airway responsiveness that is dependent on gammadelta T cells and independent of alphabeta T cells.

Lahn, M; Kanehiro, A; Takeda, K; Joetham, A; Schwarze, J; Köhler, G; O'Brien, R; Gelfand, E W et al. · Nat Med · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The mechanisms regulating airway function are complex and still poorly understood. In diseases such as asthma, involvement of immune-dependent mechanisms has been suggested in causing changes in airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictors. We now demonstrate that gammadelta T cells can regulate airway function in an alphabeta T cell-independent manner, identifying them as important cells in pulmonary homeostasis. This function of gammadelta T cells differs from previously described immune-dependent mechanisms and may reflect their interaction with innate systems of host defense.

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