PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - A. Lindén AU - M. Laan AU - G. P. Anderson TI - Neutrophils, interleukin-17A and lung disease AID - 10.1183/09031936.04.00032904 DP - 2005 Jan 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 159--172 VI - 25 IP - 1 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/1/159.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/1/159.full SO - Eur Respir J2005 Jan 01; 25 AB - It is now established that an excessive and sustained mobilisation of neutrophils is a hallmark of several chronic inflammatory lung disorders, including severe obstructive lung disease. This article reviews evidence that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A is a major orchestrator of sustained neutrophilic mobilisation. Current evidence suggests that IL-17A is produced by T-lymphocytes, and that it exerts an orchestrating effect on the accumulation and associated activity of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar space indirectly, through an induced release of specific cytokines and colony-stimulating factors in resident lung cells. Although the involvement of IL-17A in inflammatory lung disorders is supported by several recent studies, its causative role is still uncertain. However, the unique position of interleukin-17A at the interface between acquired and innate immunity puts this cytokine forward as an important signal for the reinforcement of host defence; it also implies that interleukin-17A may constitute a useful target for pharmacotherapeutic intervention.