title: CD4(+)CD25(high) FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells correlate with FEV1 in North Indian children with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by dysregulated inflammatory response in the airways. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells play a crucial role in maintaining the immune homeostasis. However their role in the disease pathogenesis of CF remains unexplored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the percentage of circulating CD4(+)CD25(high), FoxP3(+) T cell expression in children with CF and controls. Furthermore to evaluate the relationship between CD4(+)CD25(high), FOXP3 T cell % and the clinical status of the disease (lung function).
  
  
  METHODS
  CD4(+)CD25(+), intracellular FoxP3 expression in peripheral blood were estimated using flowcytometry in 20 children with CF and 10 healthy controls. Spirometry was carried out according to the standard guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significant difference in CD4(+)CD25(+)T cell% in children with CF (5.2 ± 1.2) versus controls (6.8 ± 1.4, p < 0.05), CD4(+)CD25(high)T cell% in CF (1.72 ± 0.36) versus controls (2.59 + 0.42, p < 0.003). Similarly a significant difference was observed in FoxP3 T cell% CF: (60.7 ± 6.19) versus controls (76.8 ± 5.16), p < 0.001. A significant positive correlation between FoxP3 T cell% and FEV1 in children with CF(r = 0.822, p < 0.01) was observed.CD4(+)CD25(high) T cell% correlated positively with FEV1 (r = 0.742, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings report the first evidence of a decreased expression of circulating CD4(+)CD25(high) FoxP3(+) T cells in children with CF. Furthermore circulating CD4+ CD25(high), FOXP3(+) T cell percentage correlated with FEV1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) , 160012, Chandigarh , India.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anil
authors.forename: Meenu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; FEV1; regulatory T cells