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Published on: August 7, 2017
Regulatory T cell levels in children with asthma
Mutlu Yüksek1, Funda Erol, Deniz Güloğlu
1Department of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Inhaled corticosteroids increase natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells in asthmatic children, suggesting these cells play a role in asthma treatment. This finding highlights a potential mechanism for steroid therapy in managing allergic airway inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Background:
- Natural regulatory T (nTreg) cells, identified as CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells, are crucial for immune tolerance and suppressing allergic responses.
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease often associated with allergic reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripheral blood Treg cell levels in atopic asthmatic patients.
- To assess the impact of inhaled steroid treatment on Treg cell populations in asthma.
- To explore the role of Treg cells in asthma pathogenesis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells.
- Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 healthy donors and 16 atopic asthmatic patients.
- Samples were analyzed before and after inhaled glucocorticoid treatment in asthmatic patients.
Main Results:
- Treg cell levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children undergoing inhaled glucocorticoid treatment compared to healthy controls (p<0.05).
- Treg cell counts in asthmatic patients increased after inhaled steroid therapy compared to their pre-treatment levels.
- These findings indicate a correlation between inhaled corticosteroid use and elevated Treg cell numbers.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled glucocorticoids may exert anti-inflammatory effects in asthma, at least partly, through the induction of Treg cells.
- The study suggests a mechanism by which inhaled steroids modulate the immune response in asthma.
- Elevated Treg cells could be a biomarker or therapeutic target in asthma management.
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