TH2 and 'TH2-like' cells in allergy and asthma: pharmacological perspectives

Abstract

Recently, considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis by which cytokines released from CD4 helper T ceils contribute to allergic disease. A subset of CD4 helper T cells, termed TfH2 cells, produce interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5, but not interferon γ. IL-4 has a critical role in causing B-cell immunoglobulin-isotype switch leading to IgE synthesis, and IL-5 governs eosinophilic inflammation of airway tissue. Studies on the mechanisms whereby TfH2 cells, and non-T cells such as metachromatic cells, produce a highly restricted panel of cytokines has revealed molecular mechanisms that may affect our views on the induction and treatment of asthma, and these are discuss..