Figure 1.

Potential role of NK cells in the development of allergic airway disease. (A) A robust NK cell response to respiratory viral infection with high levels of IFNγ production and cytolytic activity this leads to viral clearance and Th1 environment in the lung and normal tolerance to environmental antigens. (B) An impaired response to viral infection with low IFNγ and cytolytic activity and higher levels of Th2-type cytokines released from NK cells leads to increased inflammation and viral shedding, the recruitment of immature DCs, allergic sensitization with subsequent inflammation.