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Functions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in immunity and disease

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Abstract

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin 7-like cytokine expressed mainly by epithelial cells. Current studies provide compelling evidence that TSLP is capable of activating dendritic cells to promote T helper (Th) 2 immune responses. TSLP has also been shown to directly promote Th2 differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cell and activate natural killer T cells, basophils and other innate immune cells at the initial stage of inflammation. In addition, TSLP affects B cell maturation and activation and can also influence regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation and development. TSLP-induced Th2 responses are associated with the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. Based on recent findings in humans and mouse models, TSLP might also be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and progression of cancer. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding of the biology of TSLP and highlight the important issues for future investigations.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Drs. Mark Kaplan and Jie Sun for reviewing the manuscript. Supported by the National Institutes of Health grant R01 AI085046 to BZ.

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The authors declare no financial conflicts of interest.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Yanlu Zhang & Baohua Zhou

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Baohua Zhou

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  1. Yanlu Zhang
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Correspondence to Baohua Zhou.

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Zhang, Y., Zhou, B. Functions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in immunity and disease. Immunol Res 52, 211–223 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-012-8264-z

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