Essential role of T lymphocytes in the development of allergen-driven airway hyperresponsiveness.

Asthma now affects more than 15 million Americans and results in significant expenditure of resources. Despite intensive investigation into the pathogenesis of asthma, debate continues over which cells or which mediators are the primary contributors to the disease. Increasingly, asthma is recognized as a chronic, inflammatory disease. T lymphocytes, T-cell derived cytokines, and eosinophils play major roles in the initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory response. Animal models have enabled us to link directly T cells with eosinophilic inflammation of the airways, providing new insights into pathogenesis and novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions.