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Association of T-regulatory cells and CD23/CD21 expression with vitamin D in children with asthma
Anchoju Vijayendra Chary1, Rajkumar Hemalatha1, Machiraju Vasudeva Murali2
1Department of Clinical Division, Microbiology and Immunology, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Insights
Children with asthma show lower vitamin D and impaired T-regulatory cells, alongside increased B cell IgE receptors. This suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and immune dysregulation in pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Children with asthma often have low vitamin D levels.
- The association between vitamin D deficiency and impaired T-regulatory (Treg) cell function or elevated IgE receptors on B cells in asthmatic children remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels, Treg cell function, and IgE receptor expression (CD23 and CD21) on B cells in children with asthma.
- To examine vitamin D-regulating enzymes and related cytokines in pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- Compared 60 children with asthma (2-6 years) to 60 healthy controls.
- Assessed Treg cells, CD23/CD21 expression via flow cytometry, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels, and cytokine/IgE concentrations.
- Quantified mRNA expression of FOXP3, CD23, CD21, vitamin D receptors, and vitamin D-regulating enzymes.
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children had lower 25(OH)D3 concentrations and Treg cell proportions (P < .05).
- Elevated proportions of B cells expressing CD23 and CD21 were observed in asthmatic children (P < .05).
- Altered levels of interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β, along with up-regulated mRNA for CD23, CD21, vitamin D receptors, and certain vitamin D-regulating enzymes, were found in asthmatic children.
Conclusions:
- Asthma in children is associated with impaired Treg cell populations and increased B cell IgE receptors (CD23, CD21).
- Altered regulatory cytokines further indicate compromised immune regulation in pediatric asthma.
- Findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D in immune dysregulation observed in childhood asthma.
Background:
Children with asthma have low vitamin D levels; however, we do not know whether low vitamin D is associated with impaired T-regulatory (Treg) cell population or high IgE receptors (CD23 and CD21) on B cells.
Objective:
To examine Treg cell function, CD23 and CD21 receptors, vitamin D, and vitamin D-regulating enzymes in children with asthma.
Methods:
Sixty children (2-6 years old) with asthma and 60 age-matched healthy children were selected as study participants. After collecting demographic and clinical data, blood samples were collected. Treg cells and CD23/CD21 expressions were evaluated by flow cytometry, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and cytokines and total IgE were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of FOXP3, CD23, CD21, vitamin D receptors, and vitamin D-regulating enzymes were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
The 25(OH)D3 concentrations and proportion of Treg cells were lower (P < .05) among children with asthma. In contrast, the proportions of B cells with CD23 and CD21 expression were higher (P < .05) in patients with asthma compared with controls. Interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β were also altered in asthma. The mRNA expression of CD23, CD21, and vitamin D receptors was up-regulated, whereas mRNA expression of vitamin D-regulating enzymes, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and vitamin D binding protein (except CYP24A1) were up-regulated among children with asthma.
Conclusion:
The current study found impaired Treg cell population and high numbers of B cells with IgE receptors (CD23 and CD21) and altered regulatory cytokines in children with asthma, suggesting impaired immune regulation.
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