Changes of T and B lymphocyte subsets in children with allergic asthma

Objective To investigate the changes of T and B lymphocyte subsets in children with allergic asthma and their mechanisms. Methods CD4+, CD4+/30+, CD8+, CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocyte subsets and CD19+ B lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry and serum level of total IgE and IL 4 were detected by ELISA in 43 children with acute asthma, 20 remission and 20 healthy children served as controls. Results The CD8+/CD28+ T lymphocyte subsets were significantly increased in acute attack groups [(13.7±2.77)%] as compared with remission group [(10.6±2.8)%] and healthy controls [(11.9±1.5)%] ( P 0.01 ), CD4+/30+ T lymphocyte subsets and CD19+ B lymphocyte subsets were elevated in both acute attack group [(2.4±0.47)%,( 20.6±4.1)% ] and remission group [( 2.0±0.33)%,(17.8±3.3)%] comparing with the healthy controls [ (1.6±0.47) % , (15.8±2.9)%], which were positively correlated with serum level of IL 4 and IgE. Conclusion Immune dysregulation in asthmatic children plays an important role in the pathogenesis.