Neutrophils, interleukin-17 and obstructive airway disease

There is increasing evidence that an exaggerated accumulation of activated neutrophils is linked to the clinical course of obstructive airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present review article focuses on the evidence that the T cell cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 plays a role in orchestrating the accumulation and subsequent activation of neutrophils in the airways and lungs. The mechanistic roles of neutrophils and IL-17 in obstructive airway disease are discussed. It is concluded that targeting IL-17 may consitute a potential strategy for developing novel pharmacotherapeutic interventions against obstructive airway disease.