Circulating level of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ T cells in patients with chronic urticaria

Background CD 4+  CD 25+ T‐regulatory ( T reg) cells play critical roles in maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. As characteristics of Treg cells have not been precisely investigated in chronic urticaria ( CU ) yet, this study was performed. Objective To determine the frequencies of circulating CD 4+  CD 25+ FOXP 3+ T cells and serum levels of interleukin ( IL )‐10, transforming growth factor ( TGF )‐ β , and IL ‐17 in patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria and chronic idiopathic urticaria compared to healthy controls. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC s) were obtained from patients with CU and healthy controls. The frequency of CD 4+  CD 25+ T cells in PBMC s and expression levels of FOXP 3 were detected by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL ‐10, TGF ‐ β , and IL ‐17 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results A significant decrease in the percentage of circulating CD 4+  CD 25+ FOXP 3+ T cells was detected in patients with CU , compared to control subjects. However, no significant difference was detected on the serum levels of IL ‐10, TGF ‐ β , and IL ‐17 between patients with CU and control subjects. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the frequency of T reg cells in PBMC s was decreased in patients with CU . Further studies are needed to clarify the exact role of T reg cells in the pathogenesis of CU and factors regulating their function.