Fluticasone increased Foxp3 in childhood asthma with upregulation of phosphorylated STAT5 / 临床儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effects of fluticasone propionate (FP)on Foxp3 expression in CD4+T cells, to explore the possible mechanisms of childhood asthma. Methods Thirty asthmatic children, 15 with inhaled FP and 15 without inhaled FP, and 16 healthy children were recruited. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)labeled for CD4 and intracellular Foxp3 were analyzed using flow eytometry. The levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in serum and supernatant before and after stimulation by Phytohemagglutination (PHA)were measured by ELISA. The expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5)in PBMC was detected by Western-blot.Results Compared with healthy control, the percentage of CD4+ Foxp3+ cells in PBMC in asthmatic children without inhaled FP was significantly decreased. After inhaled FP and in remission stage, the percentage of CD4+ Foxp3+ cells in asthmatic children was up regulated with a decreased serum IL-6 level and an increased phosphorylated STATS expression. Conclusions Decreased Foxp3 protein expression in peripheral CD4+ T regulatory cells (Treg)is characterized in childhood asthma. Inhaled glucoeorticoid therapy of childhood asthma might be attributed to its ability of increasing Foxp3 expression by upregulation of phosphorylated STAT5 to balance the T cell response.