Significance of Expression of Intracellular FoxP3 in CD4~+ CD_(25)~+ T Cells in Children with Asthma

Objective To investigate the potential role of FoxP3-expressing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in children with asthma.Met-hods Intracellular 3-colour flow cytometry and real time PCR were used to assess the expression of FoxP3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)of asthma,repectively.Results There were similar frequencies of CD4+ CD25+ T cells in peripheral blood of asthma patients and healthy subjects.However,the percentage of CD4+CD25high and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ in asthma group were lower than those in healthy subjects(Pa0.05).The result of real time PCR was consistent with that of flow cytometry.Conclusion The proportion of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells decreased in children asthma,which may contribute to the pathological process of such disease.