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Decreased FOXP3 protein expression in patients with asthma
Author(s) -
Provoost S.,
Maes T.,
Van Durme Y. M.,
Gevaert P.,
Bachert C.,
SchmidtWeber C. B.,
Brusselle G. G.,
Joos G. F.,
Tournoy K. G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02056.x
Subject(s) - foxp3 , il 2 receptor , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , immunology , regulatory t cell , medicine , population , immune system , cd28 , endocrinology , t cell , biology , in vitro , biochemistry , environmental health
Background: T‐regulatory cells (T reg ) are important in balancing immune responses and maintaining peripheral tolerance. Current evidence suggests that asthma is characterized by a relative deficiency in T reg , allowing T helper 2 cells to expand. In this study, we aimed to evaluate circulating T reg , defined by the protein FOXP3, in both control subjects and patients with stable asthma. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of control ( n = 14) and asthmatic patients ( n = 29) were labeled for CD4, CD25, and intracellular FOXP3 and analyzed using flow cytometry. In CD3/CD28 stimulated PBMC, the effects of dexamethasone on the transcription factors T‐bet, GATA‐3, FOXP3, and RORc2 and representative cytokines were studied. Results: In control subjects and asthmatic patients, numbers of peripheral blood CD4 + CD25 high and CD4 + CD25 high FOXP3 + T‐cells were similar. However, FOXP3 protein expression within CD4 + CD25 high T‐cells was significantly decreased in asthmatic patients. There was a tendency for increased FOXP3 expression within CD4 + CD25 high T‐cells in glucocorticosteroid‐treated patients when compared to steroid‐naive asthmatic patients. In stimulated PBMC, dexamethasone treatment increased the anti‐/proinflammatory transcription ratios of FOXP3/GATA‐3, FOXP3/T‐bet, and FOXP3/RORc2. Conclusion: Asthmatic patients have decreased FOXP3 protein expression within their CD4 + CD25 high T reg . Our findings also suggest that treatment with inhaled glucocorticosteroids in asthmatics might increase this FOXP3 protein expression within the CD4 + CD25 high T‐cell population.