The importance of TSLP in allergic disease and its role as a potential therapeutic target

Abstract

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-derived cytokine similar to IL- 7, whose gene is located on chromosome 5q22.1 and it exerts its biological function through the TSLP-Receptor (TSLP-R). TSLP is expressed primarily by epithelial cells at barrier surfaces such as the skin, gut and lung in response to danger signals. Since it was cloned in 1994, there has been accumulating evidence that TSLP is crucial for the maturation of antigen presenting cells and hematopoietic cells. TSLP genetic variants and its dysregulated expression have been linked to atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Keywords::

• asthma
• atopy
• eczema
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• TSLP
• TSLP-R

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial derived cytokine, related to IL7 and interacts with TSLP-receptor.

• TSLP has an important role in the maturation and activation of many blood-derived cells.

• It promotes Th2 cell development via IL4 activation.

• It is linked to Asthma, atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic esophagitis based on genetic analysis.

• Murine models identify TSLP as key molecule for the atopic march.

• TSLP has been identified as an essential molecule in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis in murine models (likely in human disease as well).

• It activates mast cells, eosinophils and basophils for allergic inflammation.

Notes