engleski

Regulatory T cells in children allergic to house dust mite undergoing specific immunotherapy

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are defined by their surface phenotype (CD4+ CD25+ CD45RO+ CD69- CTLA- 4+) or by their ability to secrete immunoregulatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)- beta. The aim of this study was to detect Treg in peripheral blood from children allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus undergoing specific immunotherapy (n=15). Treg were identified using four - color flow cytometry prior to, after three months, and after one year of immunotherapy. In addition, intracellular detection of IL-10 and TGF-beta in T cells was performed. The level of CTLA-4 expressing Tregs increased transitory after 3 months of immunotherapy. While no changes in IL-10 secreting T cells were found, specific immunotherapy increased percentage of TGF-beta secreting T cells. These results indicate that analysis of CTLA-4 and TGF-beta by flow cytometry could be useful markers to monitor the effect of specific immunotherapy in allergic individuals.

regulatory T cells; immunotherapy; allergy; dust mite

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