The cytokine network in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Peter J. Barnes
Peter J. Barnes
Published November 3, 2008
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2008;118(11):3546-3556. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI36130.
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The cytokine network in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are very common inflammatory diseases of the airways. They both cause airway narrowing and are increasing in incidence throughout the world, imposing enormous burdens on health care. Cytokines play a key role in orchestrating the chronic inflammation and structural changes of the respiratory tract in both asthma and COPD and have become important targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies in these diseases.

Authors

Peter J. Barnes

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Figure 3

Th cells in airways.

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Th cells in airways. Th2 cells predominate in most patients with asthma ...
Th2 cells predominate in most patients with asthma and differentiate from uncommitted precursor T cells under the influence of IL-4. Th2 cells orchestrate allergic inflammation through the release of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. Th1 cells differentiate under the influence of IL-12 and IL-27 and suppress Th2 cells through the release of IFN-γ. Th17 cells differentiate under the influence of IL-6 and IL-23. Tregs normally suppress other Th cells through the release of TGF-β and IL-10 and may have impaired function in asthma. Each Th cell type is regulated by a specific transcription factor: T-bet for Th1 cells, GATA3 for Th2 cells, retinoic acid orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) for Th17 cells, and FOXP3 for Tregs.