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