Abstract：OBJECTIVE: This study determined the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood in children with asthma in order to explore immunologic mechanism of asthma attacks. METHODS: Seventy-four children with asthma attacks, twenty-eight children with stable asthma and twenty healthy children were enrolled. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 levels in peripheral blood in the asthma attacks group were significantly lower than those in the stable asthma and the control groups (P<0.01) .The stable asthma group showed a similar percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 levels to the control group. Compared with the stable asthma and the control groups, serum TGF-β1 level in the asthma attacks group increased significantly (P<0.05). In the asthma attacks, the stable asthma, and the control groups, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood was not correlated to serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood and serum IL-10 levels decrease and serum TGF-β1 levels increases in children with asthma attacks, which results in a decreased immunosuppressive effect. This might contribute to one of the immunologic mechanisms of asthma attacks.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (10):829-832］
LI Min,SONG Li,ZHANG Jian-Bo et al. Changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood in children with asthma[J]. CJCP, 2009, 11(10): 829-832.
［2］Rutkowski R, Moniuszko T, Stasiak-Barmuta A, Kosztyla Hojna B, Alifier M, Rutkowski K, et al. CD80 and CD86 expression on LPS-stimulated monocytes and the effect of CD80 and CD86 blockade on IL-4 and IFN-γ production in nonatopic bronchial asthma［J］. Arch Immunol Ther Exp, 2003, 51(6):421-428.
［3］Bryan SA, O′Connor BJ, Matti S, Lickie MJ, Kanabar V, Knan J, et al. Effects of recombinant human interleukin-12 on eosinophils, airway hyperresponsiveness, and the late asthmatic response［J］. Lancet, 2000, 356(9248):2149-2153.
［4］Sigurs N, Bjarnadon R, Sigurtergsion F, Kjellman B, Bjorksten B. Asthma and immunoglobulin E antibodies after respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis:a prospective cohort study with matched controls［J］. Pediatrics, 1995, 95(4):500-505.
［7］Moore KW, Malefyt R de Waal, Coffman RL, O′Garra A.Interleukin-10 and the interleukin-10 receptor［J］. Annu Rev Immunol, 2001, 19(1):683-765.
［8］Hawrylowicz CM, O′Garra A. Potential role of interleukin-10-secreting regulatory T cells in allergy and asthma［J］. Nat Rev Immunol, 2005, 5(4):271-283.
［9］Grissell TV, Powell H, Shafren DR, Boyle MJ, Hensley MJ, Jones PD, et al. Interleukin-10 gene expression in acute virus-induced asthma［J］. Am J Respir Crit Cure Med, 2005, 172(4):433-439.
