T Regulatory Cells in Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine peripheral blood CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell levels in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to evaluate their effects on the pathogenesis of the disease.
Materials and Methods: Forty one patients (age between 1-60 months) satisfied the criteria for AD (Hanifin and Rajka criteria) and 20 healthy children were included into the study. Intracytoplasmic FOXP3 expression in CD4+CD25+ cells was measured by flow cytometry (Beckman Coulter FC500, USA, Software CXP 1.2). The change in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the FOXP3 molecule relative to the MFI of the isotypic control was based on evaluation.
Results: Children with atopic dermatitis have significantly lower levels of peripheral blood CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells and higher levels of CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+ regulatory T cell MFI than the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Low levels of CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+Treg cells in atopic dermatitis might be due to the accumulation of these cells on the skin. While the CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+Treg cell levels were low, the high MFI levels of these cells suggests an attempt by Treg cells to regulate the immune response. Therefore, CD4+CD25high+FOXP3+Treg cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.
Keywords
Atopic Dermatitis, Regulatory T, FOXP3 Expression, Flow Cytometry, Mean Fluorescence Intensity Levels
Ethical Statement
The study was initiated following its approval by the local ethics committee of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine.
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