Activin A and TGF-β promote TH9 cell–mediated pulmonary allergic pathology
BACKGROUND: IL-9–secreting (TH9) T cells are thought to represent a distinct T-cell
subset. However, evidence for their functionality in disease is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To
define a functional phenotype for TH9-driven pathology in vivo. METHODS: We used
fluorescence-activated cell sorting to identify circulating TH9 cells in atopic and nonatopic
subjects. In mice we utilized a model of allergic airways disease induced by house dust mite
to determine TH9 cell function in vivo and the role of activin A in TH9 generation. RESULTS …
subset. However, evidence for their functionality in disease is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To
define a functional phenotype for TH9-driven pathology in vivo. METHODS: We used
fluorescence-activated cell sorting to identify circulating TH9 cells in atopic and nonatopic
subjects. In mice we utilized a model of allergic airways disease induced by house dust mite
to determine TH9 cell function in vivo and the role of activin A in TH9 generation. RESULTS …