title: Association of T-regulatory cells and CD23/CD21 expression with vitamin D in children with asthma.
abstract: Children with asthma have low vitamin D levels; however, we do not know whether low vitamin D is associated with impaired T-regulatory (Treg) cell population or high IgE receptors (CD23 and CD21) on B cells.
  
  
  
  To examine Treg cell function, CD23 and CD21 receptors, vitamin D, and vitamin D-regulating enzymes in children with asthma.
  
  
  
  Sixty children (2-6 years old) with asthma and 60 age-matched healthy children were selected as study participants. After collecting demographic and clinical data, blood samples were collected. Treg cells and CD23/CD21 expressions were evaluated by flow cytometry, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and cytokines and total IgE were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of FOXP3, CD23, CD21, vitamin D receptors, and vitamin D-regulating enzymes were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  
  The 25(OH)D3 concentrations and proportion of Treg cells were lower (P < .05) among children with asthma. In contrast, the proportions of B cells with CD23 and CD21 expression were higher (P < .05) in patients with asthma compared with controls. Interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β were also altered in asthma. The mRNA expression of CD23, CD21, and vitamin D receptors was up-regulated, whereas mRNA expression of vitamin D-regulating enzymes, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and vitamin D binding protein (except CYP24A1) were up-regulated among children with asthma.
  
  
  
  The current study found impaired Treg cell population and high numbers of B cells with IgE receptors (CD23 and CD21) and altered regulatory cytokines in children with asthma, suggesting impaired immune regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Division, Microbiology and Immunology, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Anchoju Vijayendra
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Chary
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Division, Microbiology and Immunology, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Electronic address: rhemalathanin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rajkumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hemalatha
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Gandhi hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Machiraju Vasudeva
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Murali
authors.affiliation: Department of Technology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Dodle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jayaprakash
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Drug Toxicology, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Bharathraj Dinesh
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C508609:IL10 protein, human; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002112:Calcifediol