Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Regulatory T cell deficiency in patients with eosinophilic asthma
Fengfei Sun1,2, Yingjian Liang1, Minmin Lin1
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.
Background:
There is a lack of information about regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inflammatory phenotypes in patients with asthma. In this study, we aimed to compare the characteristics of Tregs in patients with eosinophilic asthma.
Methods:
Forty healthy and 120 stable asthmatic patients were recruited. Sputum and airway inflammatory phenotypes were assessed, and all patients were followed for one year. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Dermatophagoides farina (Derp) to detect CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T cells and Foxp3 levels. Interleukin (IL)-13, IL-5, IL-17, IL-9, and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were measured.
Results:
38.33% of patients had eosinophilic asthma, 13.33% had neutrophilic asthma, 6.67% had mixed granulocytic asthma, and 41.67% had pauci-granulocytic asthma. The eosinophilic asthma patients had a relatively high Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, an increased prediction and improvement FEV1 (%) rate, and elevated total IgE serum levels (P < 0.05). T helper cell 2 (Th2) cytokines IL-13 and IL-5 were predominantly expressed in the eosinophilic phenotype, while the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and Th17 cytokine were found in the neutrophilic phenotype. IL-10 was significantly lower in eosinophilic asthmatic patients compared to the controls (P < 0.05). CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T cells (%Tregs) and Foxp3 gene expression in the PHA stimulated eosinophilic asthma samples were significantly lower compared to the control samples (P < 0.05). The airway inflammation phenotypes remained stable after one-year of therapy.
Conclusion:
Asthmatic patients with the eosinophilic phenotype in this study were deficient in Tregs, as characterized by a Th2 cell-biased pattern.
More Related Videos
07:17Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
08:06Determination of Regulatory T Cell Subsets in Murine Thymus, Pancreatic Draining Lymph Node and Spleen Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: February 27, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...