Role of allergen-specific CD8+ T cells in the murine asthma model.

Previous studies have indicated a divergent role for specific CD8+ T cells in allergic airway disease. To address this controversy, opposing priming conditions for CD8+ T cells using high- or low-dose allergen concentrations were applied. The recruitment of functionally active allergen-specific CD8+ T cells to the airways, which is dependent on the allergen sensitization dose, appears to be a critical predictor for the severity of the allergic phenotype in mice