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Sensing the outside world: TSLP regulates barrier immunity

Nature Immunology volume 11, pages 289–293 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin 7 (IL-7)-like cytokine originally characterized by its ability to promote the activation of B cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Subsequent studies have shown that TSLP promotes T helper type 2 (TH2) cell responses associated with immunity to some helminth parasites and the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. This review will focus on recent findings indicating that in addition to influencing B cell and DC function, TSLP can promote TH2 cytokine–associated inflammation by directly promoting the effector functions of CD4+ TH2 cells, basophils and other granulocyte populations while simultaneously limiting the expression of DC-derived proinflammatory cytokines and promoting regulatory T cell responses in peripheral tissues.

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Figure 1: Pantheon of TSLP-responsive cells.
Figure 2: TSLP regulates TH2 cytokine responses after helminth infection and exposure to allergens.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. Campbell, M. Siracusa and G. Sonnenberg for reviewing the manuscript. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (AI068731, AI044259, AR055695 and AR56113 to S.F.Z., and AI061570, AI074878 and AI083480 to D.A.), the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (D.A.), the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (D.A.) and the University of Pennsylvania (D.A.).

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  1. Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Steven F Ziegler

  2. Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    David Artis

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Ziegler, S., Artis, D. Sensing the outside world: TSLP regulates barrier immunity. Nat Immunol 11, 289–293 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.1852

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