The levels of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in paediatric patients with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma

Abstract

SummaryOur purpose was to determine whether numbers of CD4 + CD25 + T [T regulatory (Treg)] cells and mRNA expression of functional molecules of Treg are related to airway allergy and disease severity in 51 paediatric patients with allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma and 47 healthy controls. Surface markers were evaluated with flow cytometry, and mRNA was determined with realtime polymerase chain reaction. Children with allergic disease had fewer CD4 + CD25 + T cells (8·49% Ϯ 2·41% versus 9·58% Ϯ 2·43%, P < 0·05) and CD4 + CD25 hi T cells (1·32% Ϯ 0·68% versus 1·70% Ϯ 0·68%, P < 0·01) than control subjects. Numbers of CD4 + CD25 + and CD4 + CD25 hi T lymphocytes were higher in children with persistent allergic rhinitis and/or moderatesevere bronchial asthma than in those with respective milder disease. The number of Treg cells was correlated positively with total immunoglobulin E level. The mRNA expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) was increased in moderate-severe versus mild asthma (2·93 Ϯ 0·38 versus 1·60 Ϯ 0·31, P < 0·01). Patients with moderate-severe bronchial asthma also had increased mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-10 compared with patients with mild asthma (15·24 Ϯ 4·07 versus 3·77 Ϯ 2·18, P < 0·01). The suppressive function of Treg cells from patients with more severe asthma was competent in vitro. On average, decreased numbers of Treg cells in children with allergic airway disease might represent a defect of the Treg population. With increased expression of FoxP3 and IL-10 in Treg from patients with relatively severe allergic disease, adaptive and functional Treg might be generated in response to aggravated atopy and disease severity.

Association of primary immune thrombocytopenia and common allergic diseases among children

“…Fourth, decreased regulatory T (Treg) cells exhibiting impaired function have been observed in ITP patients (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). The dysfunction of Treg cells plays a role in both autoimmune disease and allergic diseases (32)(33)(34)(35). These studies have indicated an association between the pathogenesis of ITP and allergic disease, and thus support our finding that children with allergic diseases have a greater subsequent risk of developing ITP (and Manually adjusted for gender, parental occupation, and comorbidity.…”

Cell-permeable Foxp3 protein alleviates autoimmune disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease and allergic airway inflammation

“…Many recent studies have also examined the role of Foxp3 and CD4 + CD25 + Treg cells in allergic asthma and atopic patients (21). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic rhinitis and asthma patients have significantly fewer Foxp3 + lymphocytes and decreased Foxp3 mRNA expression (22,23). Tregs from atopic patients have less suppressive activity compared with the ones from nonatopic groups (24), suggesting that Foxp3 and Treg have an important role in regulating hypersensitive immune responses in human patients.…”

Antidepressant Drug, Desipramine, Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis by Regulating Treg and Th 17 Cells

“…significantly (19). CD4+T lymphocytes also include Th17 cell subset, which produces IL-17 dependent on IL-23 (16).…”