clair088

The recent discovery of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has changed our understanding of immune regulation and uncovers the importance of innate immunity in the development of asthma. Historically, asthma was thought to be a Th2 mediated disease of the adaptive immune system but it has recently become clear that there are several different phenotypes of asthma some of which are non-allergic. In their review, Yu et al discuss the various roles of ILCs in the immune system specific to different asthma phenotypes and other allergic diseases ( J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(4): 943-950 ). ILCs are lymphocytes that produce a variety of cytokines similar to CD4+ T cells, but are antigen non-specific, which allows them to function independently of adaptive immunity.  The authors explain that ILC1s are similar to Th1 cells and have been shown to inhibit eosinophilic airway inflammation by promoting eosinophil apoptosis. Several studies show the likeness of ILC2s to Th2 cells in that they pr...

Live vaccines and the growing neglect of adherence to routine immunizations can be life-threatening to immunodeficient patients.  This prompted the Medical Advisory Committee of the Immune Deficiency Foundation to issue recommendations based on the literature and the collective experience of the committee members. Shearer et al describe the relative risk for a child with severe immunodeficiency from close-contact spread of infectious diseases that are vaccine-preventable or from the shedding of live virus or bacteria from individuals who have received a live vaccine ( J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(4): 961-966 ) .   The risk of acquiring an infection is well known to immediate family members of an immunodeficient child. However, relatives and non-family members who have not been vaccinated or have been vaccinated with live virus or bacteria pose a serious threat to these patients. Complacency is prevalent in society regarding pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella vacci...