Regulatory T cells and IL-10 in allergic inflammation

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that human regulatory T (T reg) cells protect against the development of allergic and asthmatic disease and that their function is impaired during active disease. Two new studies contribute to our understanding of the role that T reg cells play in the control of allergic airway disease in mice. However, these studies also highlight several outstanding questions in the field.

Figure. 1.

Control of allergic airway disease by regulatory T cells. Allergic airway disease is caused by inappropriate Th2-driven immune responses to “harmless” antigens, or allergens, in the environment. CD4⁺CD25⁺ and IL-10–producing T reg cells can regulate allergic sensitization in vivo through inhibitory effects on Th2 cells or on dendritic cells (DCs) in the lung. T reg cells can also induce the production of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 by host lung T cells (not shown). In turn, DCs can produce immunomodulatory cytokines such as IL-6, which has been shown to inhibit CD4⁺CD25⁺+ T reg cell function, and IL-10, which has been shown to induce IL-10–producing T reg cells.