Comprehensive analysis of lung macrophages and dendritic cells in two murine models of allergic airway inflammation reveals model- and subset-specific accumulation and phenotypic alterations.

Introduction: Allergic asthma has been mainly attributed to T helper type 2 (Th2) and proinflammatory responses but many cellular processes remain elusive. There is increasing evidence for distinct roles for macrophage and dendritic cell (DC) subsets in allergic airway inflammation (AAI). At the same time, there are various mouse models for allergic asthma that have been of utmost importance in identifying key inflammatory pathways in AAI but that differ in the allergen and/or route of sensitization.