Association between environmental exposure and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Abstract

Background: It is considered that farm areas protect young patients from allergy and asthma due to high exposure to endotoxins.

Aim: To compare CD4+/CD25+ T-regulatory cells and forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 expression in asthmatic children allergic to house dust mites (HDM) living in rural and farm areas.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective analysis of 35 children living in farm areas (n = 19) and rural areas (n = 16), aged 8-16, with allergic rhinitis (allergic to dust mites) and newly diagnosed asthma. Surface molecule CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ expression on cultured PBMCs was estimated by flow cytometry using fluorophore-conjugated monoclonal antibodies in each patient.

Results: Thirty-five children were included into the analysis: 19 children living in farm areas and 16 in rural areas. Within and between-groups (farm area vs. rural area) differences in CD4+/CD25+ and CD4+/CD25+Foxp3+ cell expression did not reach the level of significance.

Conclusion: The current analysis showed that CD4+/CD25+ and CD4+/CD25+Foxp3+ cell expression was not associated with place of living in asthmatic children sensitive to HDM.