title: [Expression of CD152 and CD137 on T regulatory cells in rhinitis and bronchial asthma patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma are inflammatory conditions that have increased in prevalence over the past two decades; studies of the inflammatory response in these diseases have determined that T regulatory cells (Treg) have been considered as responsible for allergens tolerance. The expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) in Treg is associated with the functional activity of this population, moreover the expression of 4-1BB (CD137) has a controversial function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the existence of CTLA-4 and 4-1BB in Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with rhinitis and/or asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative cross-sectional study was done with three groups of patients: 20 subjects with allergic rhinitis, 17 subjects with bronchial asthma and 17 subjects with both disorders; 19 healthy subjects conformed the control group. The frequency of Treg (CD4+, FoxP3+ and CD25hight) and the expression of CD152 and CD137 in these cells were assessed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the group of subjects with bronchial asthma (p<0.001) and allergic rhinitis bronchial asthma (p<0.001) showed a significantly lower percentage of Treg (CD4+, CD25hight and FoxP3+) in peripheral blood compared to the healthy subjects controls. Only the group of subjects with bronchial asthma showed a significantly higher percentage of CD152+ (p<0.01) and CD137+ (p<0.01) Treg compared to control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects with bronchial asthma and bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis disorders have a deficiency of CD4+, CD25hight and FoxP3+ Treg in peripheral blood; however, subjects with bronchial asthma had a higher frequency of CD152+ and CD137+ Treg cells.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Inmunología Clínica y Alergia, Hospital Regional 1º de Octubre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Distrito Federal, México. normatinez2722@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rojas-Ramos
authors.forename: Norma E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Martínez-Jiménez
authors.forename: Billy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Verdejo-Hernández
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vázquez
keywords: Allergic rinitis; Bronchial asthma; CD137; CD152; T regulatory cells