CD4+CD25(high) Treg cells in peripheral blood during remission and exacerbation of allergic asthma in children

Aim: To determine the percentage of CD4⁺CD25^high Treg cells in peripheral blood CD4⁺ T cells of allergic asthmatic children during disease remission and exacerbation. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum samples were collected from 6‐ to 11‐year‐old children with mild‐to‐moderate allergic asthma (n = 34) and from healthy controls (n = 15). CD4⁺CD25^high T cells in PBMC were detected by flow cytometry. Total and specific IgE in serum were analysed by enzyme‐amplified chemiluminescence, and IL‐2 was measured by ELISA. Results: There was no significant difference in CD4⁺CD25^high T‐cell proportions between asthmatic children in exacerbation and remission as compared with controls. CD4⁺CD25^high T‐cell percentages were not correlated with total and specific IgE. IL‐2 was elevated in both disease remission and exacerbation but did not correlate significantly with CD4⁺CD25^high T‐cell percentages. Conclusion: CD4⁺CD25^high T‐cell proportion in the peripheral blood of total CD4⁺ T cells is not reduced in children with allergic IgE‐mediated asthma and does not differ between disease remission and exacerbation.