Regulatory-T, T-Helper 1, and T-Helper 2 Cell Differentiation in Nasal Mucosa of Allergic Rhinitis with Olive Pollen Sensitivity

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease in which T-helper (Th)2 response is predominant and its pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood. Aim: To evaluate the possible role of Th1, Th2 and regulatory-T (Treg) cells in the pathogenesis of AR. Methods: This case-control study enrolled 41 patients with seasonal AR (10–62 years old), sensitive to olive pollens, and 15 healthy controls (18–60 years old). Nasal biopsy was performed and specimens of nasal lavage fluid were obtained from all participants. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were measured in nasal lavage fluid specimens. The expression of FOXP3, GATA-3 and T-bet was measured by immunohistochemical methods in the nasal biopsy specimens. Results: The levels of IFN-γ in the group with AR were significantly lower than those in the control group (p = 0.008). The levels of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β did not differ between the two groups. The expression of FOXP3 and T-bet in patients with AR was significantly lower than that in the control group (both p = 0.001). Expression of GATA-3 in the nasal mucosa was similar between the groups (p = 0.2). The ratios of T-bet/GATA-3 and FOXP3/GATA-3 in the AR group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Insufficient Treg and Th1 cells may be associated with the allergic inflammation that may be attributed to the Th2 immune response in patients suffering from AR who are sensitive to olive pollen.

The Key Role of TNF-TNFR2 Interactions in the Modulation of Allergic Inflammation: A Review

“…However, the authors did not investigate whether there are functional consequences related to a reduced FoxP3 expression in these cells ( 22 ). In another study, Fontenot et al, found that FoxP3 displayed reduced expression in patients with allergic rhinitis ( 23 ). Because in general, patients with FoxP3 mutations exhibit excessive autoimmunity with high levels of IgE, peripheral eosinophilia and Th2 skewing, the reduced FoxP3 expression may be a contributing factor to the development of allergic diseases in humans ( 24 ).…”

The impact of allergen exposure and specific immunotherapy on circulating blood cells in allergic rhinitis

“…Th2 cytokines further suppress Th1 cell differentiation. Ratios of Th1/Th2 and T reg /Th2 are reduced in the nasal mucosa of AR patients during allergen season [ 14 ]. A relative predominance of Th2 cytokine profiles, except for IL-4 levels, was found in nasal fluid of olive-sensitized AR patients compared to healthy controls [ 12 ].…”

Subsets of regulatory T cells and their roles in allergy

“…It is clear that individuals with defective or suboptimal Foxp3 expression due to mutations in Foxp3 gene or in genes that promote Foxp3 expression such as STAT5b are susceptible to allergic diseases [4]. Very recently, it has been noticed that insufficient Treg and Th1 cells may be associated with the allergic inflammation that may be attributed to the Th2 immune response in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis who are sensitive to olive pollen [5]. …”