Abstract
Persistent asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, where T cells and eosinophils are prominent. This article summarizes the evidence that asthmatic bronchial inflammation is initiated and propagated by cytokines secreted by activated T cells and other cells, and describes how the release of specific cytokines could result in local preferential accumulation and activation of eosinophils.
MeSH terms
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Asthma / etiology
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Asthma / physiopathology*
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
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Cytokines / physiology
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Eosinophils / immunology*
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Gene Expression
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Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / genetics
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin E / physiology
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Inflammation / physiopathology
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Mucous Membrane / physiopathology
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
Substances
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Cytokines
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RNA, Messenger
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Immunoglobulin E
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Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor