Myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in induced sputum after allergen inhalation in subjects with asthma

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells that mediate the response to inhaled allergens. In animal models, the induction and maintenance of allergic airway inflammation is primarily a function of myeloid dendritic cells, whereas the tolerization to inhaled allergens is likely a function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in sputum myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells after …