Association between CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells and atopy in children

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pediatric Allergy
• T-cell Regulation

Background:

• CD4(+)CD25(high) T-regulatory cells are crucial for immune tolerance.
• Limited data exists on their role in childhood allergies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells and childhood allergies/wheezing.
• To explore the function and regulation of these T cells in children.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry analysis of CD4(+)CD25(high) and CD4(+)CD25(int) T cells in 151 six-year-old children.
• Assessment of clinical and immunologic correlates of atopy.
• Regression analysis to determine associations.

Main Results:

• Higher CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells correlated with male sex, allergen-specific IgE, total IgE, season, and pollen count.
• CD4(+)CD25(high) cells showed no correlation with cytokine production but negative correlation with suppressive capacity.
• CD4(+)CD25(int) T cells were elevated in pollen-sensitized children and correlated with IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13.

Conclusions:

• Blood CD4(+)CD25(high) cells in children represent a mix of activated and regulatory T cells.
• These cells may be seasonally influenced by environmental factors like pollen.
• Seasonal increases in CD4(+)CD25(high) expression in allergic children may indicate pollen-induced systemic immune activation.