Cells most important in causation of asthma are?
**Core Concept**
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. The pathogenesis of asthma involves a complex interplay of multiple cell types, including eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, and T lymphocytes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The most important cells in the causation of asthma are T lymphocytes, particularly Th2 cells. These cells play a central role in orchestrating the inflammatory response in asthma by releasing cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which promote the production of IgE antibodies and the activation of eosinophils. The activation of Th2 cells is mediated by the binding of allergens to pattern recognition receptors on dendritic cells, which then present the allergens to T cells, leading to their activation.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Eosinophils are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, but they are not the most important cells. They are primarily responsible for tissue damage and are activated by the cytokines released by Th2 cells.
**Option B:** Mast cells are also involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, but they are not the most important cells. They are primarily responsible for the release of histamine and other mediators that contribute to bronchoconstriction and inflammation.
**Option C:** Neutrophils are not typically involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. They are more commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are key players in the pathogenesis of asthma, and their inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease.
**Correct Answer:** C. T lymphocytes.