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T-lymphocyte subpopulations in children's atopic asthma
R Lokar1, V Kolbas, A Sabioncello
1Institute for mother and child health, Institute of Immunology, Zagreb.
Insights
Children with atopic asthma have lower suppressor T lymphocytes, which increase with immunotherapy. This suggests a role for these cells in asthma pathogenesis and highlights immunotherapy
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Atopic asthma is a common condition in children.
- T lymphocyte subpopulations play a role in immune regulation.
- The function of suppressor T lymphocytes in pediatric asthma is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of suppressor and helper T lymphocyte subpopulations in children with atopic asthma.
- To compare these levels with those in healthy children.
- To evaluate the effect of immunotherapy on T lymphocyte subpopulations in asthmatic children.
Main Methods:
- Monoclonal antibodies were used to determine T lymphocyte subpopulations.
- Study included 42 children with atopic asthma and 30 healthy controls.
- Asthmatic children were divided into untreated and immunotherapy-treated groups.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower suppressor T lymphocytes were found in non-treated asthmatic children (p<0.01).
- Significantly higher suppressor T lymphocytes were observed in children treated with immunotherapy (p<0.01).
- Higher stimulation index with mitogens was noted in asthmatic children.
Conclusions:
- Reduced and functionally impaired suppressor T lymphocytes may contribute to asthma pathogenesis.
- Immunotherapy shows potential benefits for treating childhood atopic asthma.
- Further research into T lymphocyte roles in asthma is warranted.
Abstract:
A group of children with atopic asthma (42) and the control group of normal children (30) were examined in order to determine the level of suppressor and helper T lymphocyte subpopulations in each group by using monoclonal antibodies. The asthmatic children were divided into two subgroups: one group received no therapy (30) and the other was treated with specific hyposensitization (12). Suppressor T lymphocytes were significantly lower in the subgroup of non-treated asthmatic children (p less than 0.01) and significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the subgroup of children treated with immunotherapy. The stimulation index using mitogens was higher in the group of asthmatic children. The results suggest that the reduction and functional damage of suppressor T lymphocytes may have an influence on the pathogenesis of asthma and that immunotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of atopic asthma in children.