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Detection of CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria
Author(s) -
Sun RenShan,
Sui JianFeng,
Chen XiaoHong,
Ran XinZe,
Yang ZiFeng,
Guan WenDa,
Yang Tao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2010.00658.x
Subject(s) - medicine , foxp3 , peripheral blood , il 2 receptor , immunology , peripheral , immune system , t cell
Background/Objectives: Compelling evidence indicates a significant role for a population of CD4 + T regulatory cells in suppressing immune responses and in maintaining immunological homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the potential role of CD4 + CD25 HIGH FOXP3 + T regulatory cells in patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria and to define the characteristics of CD4 + CD25 HIGH FOXP3 + cells in chronic urticaria. Methods: We used flow cytometry to assess the expression of CD4 + CD25 HIGH FOXP3 + cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria. Results: In this study, we found that patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria have a significantly reduced frequency of CD4 + CD25 HIGH FOXP3 + cells (1.39 ± 0.27% vs 2.09 ± 0.34%; P = 0.001) in their peripheral blood, accompanied by a decreased intensity of FOXP3 expression (50.13 ± 9.79 vs 68.19 ± 6.40; P < 0.001). Notably, although patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria had a reduced frequency of CD4 + CD25 HIGH FOXP3 + cells (1.85 ± 0.46% vs 3.64 ± 0.48%; P < 0.001), their FOXP3 expression levels did not differ from those in healthy controls. Conclusions: Patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria displayed a reduced percentage of CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells. The results imply CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + regulatory T cells may contribute to the autoimmune pathological process of chronic autoimmune urticaria.