Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Isolation and Quantitative Evaluation of Brush Cells from Mouse Tracheas
Published on: June 12, 2019
Peripheral blood and tissue T regulatory cells in chronic rhinosinusitis
Shilpy Sharma1, So Watanabe, Anita Sivam
1Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Background:
The pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not been fully elucidated. Increased inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased numbers and/or impaired function of T regulatory cells (Tregs) have been reported. This study aimed to determine the role of Tregs in CRS in peripheral blood (PB) and sinus tissue.
Methods:
Sinus tissue was obtained from 16 CRS subjects and 5 controls. PB from additional 16 CRS subjects and total 20 controls was obtained. Immunohistochemical analysis (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and Treg [CD4(+)-FoxP3(+) and CD25(+)-FoxP3(+)] cells) of sinus tissue was performed. Percentage of PB Tregs (CD4(+)-CD25(+)-FoxP3(+) cells) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced release of cytokines (IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, interferon gamma, transforming growth factor [TGF] beta1, and TNF-alpha) from PB mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined.
Results:
PB flow cytometric analysis revealed a lower percentage of Tregs in subjects with CRS compared with healthy controls (p = 0.0003). Although no differences in the PB Treg counts were observed between the CRS subjects with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP), immunohistochemical analysis performed on sinus tissue revealed a higher proportion of Tregs in CRSwNP subjects compared with CRSsNP (p < 0.05). Additionally, we failed to detect any Tregs from control sphenoid sinus tissue. Lower levels of regulatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1) and higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were found from PBMCs from CRS subjects compared with controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that CRS subjects exhibit a decreased percentage of PB Tregs compared with normal controls. PBMCs from CRS subjects show a more proinflammatory and less regulatory phenotype.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Asthma I: Introduction
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

