Cutting edge: allergen-specific CD4 T cells respond indirectly to thymic stromal lymphopoietin to promote allergic responses in the skin.

ABSTRACT: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-derived cytokine that has been implicated in the initiation of allergic responses. CD4 T cells and dendritic cells are able to respond to TSLP in vitro; however, there has not been a careful dissection of the spatiotemporal response to TSLP by CD4 T cells in vivo during an allergic response. Previous work has suggested a requirement for TSLP in amplifying Th2 responses during allergen challenge by direct action on CD4 T cells; however, these studies did not determine whether there is an effect of TSLP on CD4 T cells during allergen sensitization. In this study we demonstrate an indirect role for TSLP on CD4 T cells during sensitization and challenge phases of an allergic response. This indirect effect of TSLP on CD4 T cells is due in part to the presence of TSLP exclusively in the allergen-sensitized and -challenged skin, rather than the draining lymph nodes.

SUBMITTER: Larson RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3657711 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature