title: Detection of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compelling evidence indicates a significant role for a population of CD4(+) T regulatory cells in suppressing immune responses and in maintaining immunological homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the potential role of CD4(+) CD25(HIGH) FOXP3(+) T regulatory cells in patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria and to define the characteristics of CD4(+) CD25(HIGH) FOXP3(+) cells in chronic urticaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used flow cytometry to assess the expression of CD4(+) CD25(HIGH) FOXP3(+) cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we found that patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria have a significantly reduced frequency of CD4(+) CD25(HIGH) FOXP3(+) cells (1.39 ± 0.27% vs 2.09 ± 0.34%; P = 0.001) in their peripheral blood, accompanied by a decreased intensity of FOXP3 expression (50.13 ± 9.79 vs 68.19 ± 6.40; P < 0.001). Notably, although patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria had a reduced frequency of CD4(+) CD25(HIGH) FOXP3(+) cells (1.85 ± 0.46% vs 3.64 ± 0.48%; P < 0.001), their FOXP3 expression levels did not differ from those in healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria displayed a reduced percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells. The results imply CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells may contribute to the autoimmune pathological process of chronic autoimmune urticaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Battle Surgery, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. sunyueyue@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ren-Shan
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jian-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xin-Ze
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Ran
authors.forename: Zi-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wen-Da
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit