T cells in asthma: Lessons from mouse models

Studies regarding the role of T cells in allergic asthma have been facilitated by the development of mouse models of this disease. Although these models do not accurately reflect human asthma they mimic cardinal asthma manifestations. T helper type 2 lymphocytes are considered as the main effector cells in the pathology, however, new T cells subtypes have been characterized during the past decade, which have greatly extended our vision on the immunoregulation of this disease.

Section editor:Nelly Frossard – Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, France