Innate type 2 cells and asthma

Asthma and other allergic conditions are immunologically described as Th2 skewed, with associated increases in IgE, eosinophila and expression of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. However, recent advances have implicated other type 2 cytokines such as IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP in the pathogenesis of allergic conditions. These cytokines are potent inducers of the panel of recently described innate immune cells, which also produce large amounts of the Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 independent of the adaptive immune response. We review herein, the role for these innate cell populations with a focus on the nuocyte, in allergic asthma and pulmonary inflammation.

► Allergic asthma is associated with increased Th2 cytokine production.
► Innate immune cells are potent producers of Th2 cytokines in humans and mice.
► These cells are present in the lungs of humans and mice with lung inflammation.
► Polymorphisms in genes present in nuocytes are associated with asthma patients.