Distinct phenotypes and repertoires of bronchoalveolar and airway mucosal T cells in health and allergic asthma

T cells play a central role in host protection against respiratory pathogens, but maladaptive T cell responses can lead to pulmonary diseases. Defining the biology of protective versus pathogenic T cell responses in the lungs of humans will be critical to nominate novel approaches to improve respiratory health. Previous studies have examined T cells from the lungs captured via bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), endobronchial brushings, or biopsies. However, whether these different approaches are capturing distinct T cell phenotypes and/or clonotypes remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate and compare the transcriptional signatures of T cells isolated via BAL versus endobronchial brushings in healthy controls (HCs) and allergic asthmatics (AAs). The most significant difference in T cell subsets... (for more see dbGaP study page.)