Update: the role of FoxP3 in allergic disease.
OBJECTIVE
T-regulatory cells play a key role in allergic and asthmatic inflammatory airway diseases. This review discusses the importance of a critical gene associated with T-regulatory cells. Forkhead box P3 is a forkhead-winged helix transcription factor gene involved in immune function in allergy and asthma.


RESULTS
Recently, many functions of forkhead box P3 and its influence on the immune system have been elucidated. T-regulatory cells that are CD4+CD25+ and express forkhead box P3, influence the development and expression of atopy and allergic response. The exact mechanisms are not yet delineated, but multiple recent studies provide greater understanding of the mechanism of forkhead box P3 and its influence on these T-regulatory cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater understanding of the molecular and immunological mechanisms underlying the T-regulatory cells and forkhead box P3 will permit the development of targeted treatment modalities to influence disease processes such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.
Paik
Young
Y
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Dahl
Matthew
M
Fang
Deyu
D
Calhoun
Karen
K
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors