The role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in allergic disorders

The importance of the epithelium in initiating and controlling immune responses is becoming more appreciated. For example, allergen contact first occurs at mucosal sites exposed to the external environment, such as the skin, airways and gastrointestinal tract. This exposure leads to the production of a variety of cytokines and chemokines that are involved in driving allergic inflammatory responses. One such product is thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Recent studies, in both humans and mouse models, have implicated TSLP in the development and progression of atopy and atopic diseases. This review will discuss this work and place TSLP in the inflammatory cascade that leads to allergic disease.