Association of imbalance of effector T cells and regulatory cells with the severity of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children

Purpose: This study investigated the frequency and absolute numbers of different subsets of peripheral blood cells, including CD4(+) T cells and CD19(+) interleukin (IL) 10(+) B regulatory cells (Breg) and their potential association with clinical laboratory measurements in children diagnosed with simple asthma or asthma plus allergic rhinitis (AR). Method: The frequency and numbers of peripheral blood CD4(+) interferon (IFN) gamma(+) T-helper (Th) type 1, CD4(+) IL-4(+) Th2, CD4(+) IL-17A(+) Th17, CD4(+) CD25(+) Forkhead Box P3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and CD19(+) IL-10(+) Bregs in 22 children with asthma, 17 children with asthma and AR, and 25 healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of serum cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In comparison with healthy controls, patients with asthma alone had significantly increased numbers of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, and their cytokines but decreased numbers of Tregs and Bregs, and the cytokines IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta 1. This imbalance between effector and regulatory cells and their cytokines further increased in patients with asthma and AR. The ratios of percentage effector T cells (Th1 + Th2 + Th17) to regulatory cells (Treg + Breg) were positively correlated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide but negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients with asthma or asthma plus AR. Conclusion: The imbalance of effector T cells and regulatory cells contributed to the pathogenesis of airway inflammation of asthma and AR in children.