@article {Bratke:November 2006:0105-4538:1351,
	author = "Bratke, K.",
	author = "Haupt, F.",
	author = "Kuepper, M.",
	author = "Bade, B.",
	author = "Faehndrich, S.",
	author = "Luttmann, W.",
	author = "Virchow, J. C.",
	title = "Decrease of cytotoxic T cells in allergic asthma correlates with total serum immunglobulin E",
	journal = "Allergy",
	volume = "61",
	year = "November 2006",
	abstract = "Background:&#8194; <P></P>Allergic asthma has been linked to an increase in T-helper type 2-like cytokines and T cells, but there is growing evidence for a role of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of asthma. Therefore, we investigated the cytotoxic potential of different lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with allergic asthma. Methods:&#8194; <P></P>Granzyme A, B, K, and perforin expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry. Soluble granzymes were measured in serum using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:&#8194; <P></P>Asthmatics had significantly decreased percentages of granzyme and perforin-positive CD4 T cells compared with non-atopic controls. In patients with asthma, the granzyme B and perforin-positive subset of CD8<SUP>+</SUP> T cells and natural killer T cells, which represent more differentiated cell populations, were significantly reduced, while this was not observed in the less differentiated granzyme K<SUP>+</SUP> subsets. In addition, the serum concentrations of granzyme B were significantly reduced in patients with asthma, while granzyme K concentrations were not different. Interestingly, there was a negative correlation between granzyme A, B and perforin expression in T cell subsets as well as serum granzyme B concentrations and total serum immunglobulin E. In CD3-negative natural killer cells, no differences in granzyme or perforin expression between patients with asthma and controls were detected. Conclusion:&#8194; <P></P>In allergic asthma, cytotoxic T lymphocyte subsets of a more differentiated phenotype are significantly decreased and this is correlated to serum immunglobulin E levels.",
	pages = "1351-1357(7)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mksg/all/2006/00000061/00000011/art00016"
	doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01192.x"
}