Datasheet2_Discrepancy in the suppressive function of regulatory T cells in allergic asthmatic vs. allergic rhinitis subjects upon low-dose allergen challenges.pdf

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the maintenance of immunological tolerance. There is evidence of impaired function of these cells in people with asthma and allergy. In this study, we evaluated and compared the function of Tregs in allergic asthmatic and allergic non-asthmatic patients, both before and after low-dose allergen challenges.

Methods

Three groups of subjects were recruited for a baseline evaluation: healthy controls without allergy or asthma, allergic asthmatic subjects, and allergic non-asthmatic subjects. All of them were subjected to expiratory flow measurements, sputum induction, and blood sampling. In addition, both groups of allergic subjects underwent low-dose allergen challenges. Tregs were isolated from whole blood using CD4⁺CD25^high and CD127^low staining. The suppression function was measured by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, IgG4, IgA, and TGF-β were measured using ELISA, and sputum Foxp3 was evaluated using qRT-PCR.

Results

The suppressive function of Tregs in healthy controls was significantly higher than in allergic asthmatic or allergic non-asthmatic subjects. Repeated exposure to low doses of allergen increased the suppressor function of Tregs in allergic non-asthmatic subjects but decreased it in allergic asthmatic subjects. Foxp3 gene expression was increased in induced sputum in allergic non-asthmatic subjects, whereas it did not change in asthmatic subjects. Serum IL-10 level was decreased in allergic asthmatic subjects after allergen challenge but not in allergic non-asthmatic subjects. IFN-γ level increased upon allergen challenge in allergic non-asthmatic subjects. IgG4 level was higher in allergic non-asthmatic subjects than in allergic asthmatic subjects.

Conclusions

Low-dose allergen challenges stimulate the suppressor function of Tregs in non-asthmatic allergic subjects but not in allergic asthmatic subjects.