title: Genetic and epigenetic studies ofFOXP3in asthma and allergy.
abstract: Multiple factors interact to trigger allergic diseases, including individual genetic background and factors related to the environment such as exposure to allergens, air pollution and respiratory infections. The FOXP3 transcription factor is constitutively expressed in CD4+CD25+FOXP3+regulatory T cells (Tregs) and is critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. For example, FOXP3 is responsible for the suppression of the Th2 response following exposure to allergens. Studies have shown that expression of theFOXP3gene is reduced in patients with asthma and allergies compared to healthy controls. Therefore, the impairment of FOXP3 function caused by genetic polymorphisms and/or epigenetic mechanisms may be involved in the etiology of asthma and other allergic diseases. This review discusses some aspects of the role of FOXP3 in the development of asthma and allergy, with a particular emphasis on genetic and epigenetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Cintia Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Ryan Santos
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Nunes de Oliveira
authors.initials: GNO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.|Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Jequié, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Magalhães
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiane Oliveira
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Emília Maria Medeiros
authors.initials: EMM
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Alana A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdirene Leão
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n, Canela, CEP - 40110-100 Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Alexandrina
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Figueiredo