The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2011 , Vol 53 , Num 5
Regulatory T Cell Levels in Children with Asthma
Departments of 1Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, and 2Biostatistics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara,
Turkey
Natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells are described by expression of a specific
transcription factor, FOXP3, on CD4+CD25+ cells. They play very important
roles in the suppression of allergic reactions and disorders. The aim of this
study was to obtain peripheral blood Treg levels among atopic asthmatic patients
before and during inhaled steroid treatment and to observe the effect of these
cells on the pathogenesis and treatment of asthma. CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T
cells obtained from 20 healthy donors and from 16 atopic asthmatic patients
before and after inhaled glucocorticoid treatment were examined by flow
cytometer. The levels of CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg cells were higher in
asthmatic children who had been receiving inhaled glucocorticoids, when
compared to the control group and to the patients’ levels before treatment
(p<0.05). The present study suggests that at least one of the anti-inflammatory
effects of inhaled glucocorticoids in asthma depends upon induction of Treg
cells.
Keywords :
asthma, children, nTreg cells, glucocorticoid.