Role and modulation of T-cell cytokines in allergy.

Allergic sensitization and the development of effector functions are controlled by IL-4-secreting and IL-5-secreting type 2 T cells. Recent studies have provided new insights into the events triggering the development of type 1 and type 2 T cells, the discrimination of type 1 and type 2 effector T cells from various T-cell subsets, and the improvement of established and new therapeutic strategies, which are aimed at modulating such T-cell functions in the allergic patient.