T Cells and Asthma

Abstract

Abnormalities of peripheral-blood lymphocyte subsets and activation markers were detected in patients with both allergic and nonallergic asthma. Most allergic asthmatics were characterized by increased numbers of IL-2R⁺ helper T cells and CD23⁺B cells. In contrast, nonallergic asthmatics showed increased numbers of IL-2R⁺ and HLA-DR⁺ helper and cytotoxic T cells, and a clear redistribution from naive (CD45RA⁺) to memory (CD45RO⁺) cells. The number of IL-2R⁺ T cells correlated with the number of CD23⁺ B cells in allergic asthma. These changes in the distribution and activation state of T cells suggest an active role for T cells in the pathogenesis of both allergic and nonallergic asthma.