Increased T-cell receptor Vβ8+ T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of subjects with poorly controlled asthma: a potential role for microbial superantigens
PJ Hauk, SE Wenzel, AE Trumble, SJ Szefler… - Journal of allergy and …, 1999 - Elsevier
Background: T cells are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic
asthma. The immunologic triggers that contribute to poorly controlled asthma are unknown
but may include infectious agents. Superantigens (SAgs), which stimulate T cells expressing
selected T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain variable (Vβ) regions, are known to be an important
mechanism by which microbes can contribute to T-cell activation and disease pathogenesis.
Objective: We sought to determine the potential role of SAgs in T-cell activation of patients …
asthma. The immunologic triggers that contribute to poorly controlled asthma are unknown
but may include infectious agents. Superantigens (SAgs), which stimulate T cells expressing
selected T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain variable (Vβ) regions, are known to be an important
mechanism by which microbes can contribute to T-cell activation and disease pathogenesis.
Objective: We sought to determine the potential role of SAgs in T-cell activation of patients …