TH22 AND TH17 MEDIATED INFLAMMATION IN ALLERGIC AIRWAY DISEASES

Abstract

The most common allergic airway diseases are allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, characterized by chronic inflammation of the upper and lower airways. Interaction between asthma and rhinitis is well known: over 80% of patients have both allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, and 10%–40% of patients with allergic rhinitis develops allergic asthma. Allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are complex and heterogeneous diseases; however, they share almost identical immune mechanisms. The main role is given to T lymphocyte helper (Th2) and their produced IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, which cause type 2 inflammation. However, recent studies have been focusing on the new Th cell population: Th22 and Th17. There is evidence that Th17, Th22 cells and their cytokines play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this article is to review the newest evidence of the role of Th22 and Th17 in allergic airway diseases.