Natural Killer Cells in the Development of Asthma

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• 作者：Clinton B. Mathias (1)
  
• 关键词：Natural killer cells ; Asthma ; Allergic inflammation ; NKG2D ; NK2
• 刊名：Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
• 出版年：2015
• 出版时间：February 2015
• 年：2015
• 卷：15
• 期：2
• 全文大小：841 KB
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• 作者单位：Clinton B. Mathias (1)
  
  1. Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western New England University, Springfield, MA, 01119, USA
  
• ISSN：1534-6315

文摘

Asthma is an immune-mediated disease of the airways characterized by reversible airway obstruction, bronchial eosinophilic inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The immune dysregulation in asthma has been attributed to the involvement of diverse immune cells that contribute to the immunopathology of the disease. Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in host defense against viruses and various cancers. Accumulating evidence demonstrates additional important roles for these cells in T cell priming, dendritic cell maturation, and the development of inflammation, all of which have the potential to enhance or dampen allergic responses. The ability of NK cells to produce Th2-type cytokines and their pivotal role in combating respiratory infections which cause airway dysfunction in asthmatics further suggest that they may directly contribute to the immunopathogenesis of allergic airway disease. In this review, we examine emerging evidence and discuss the putative roles of NK cells in the sensitization, progression, and resolution of asthma.