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

Nat Med. 1999 Oct;5(10):1150-6. doi: 10.1038/13476.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Lung / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Ovalbumin / administration & dosage
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Ovalbumin