Increased numbers of activated group 2 innate lymphoid cells in the airways of patients with severe asthma and persistent airway eosinophilia

摘要

Background: In patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, local maturation rather than systemic recruitment of mature cells might contribute to persistent airway eosinophilia. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a major source of type 2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) and can facilitate eosinophilic inflammatory responses in mouse models of asthma in the absence of CD4 1 lymphocytes. This study investigated the potential role of ILC2s in driving chronic airway eosinophilia in patients with severe asthma, despite regular high-dose oral corticosteroid therapy.