CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells Decreased CD8+IL4+Cells in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma

Interleukin (IL)4producingCD8 (cytotoxic T cells, Tc) contribute to lung eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to an antigen. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) attenuate airway inflammation and AHR. This study investigated whether Tregs decrease Tc2frequencies in ovalbumin (OVA)induced asthma model of mice. #xA0;Female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with OVA intraperitoneally and challenged with OVA intranasally to induce allergic asthma model. Tregs were sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) microbeads. OVAsensitized mice were injected with Tregs or phosphate buffer saline (PBS) by tail vein ahead of the first challenge. Airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)were evaluated by histological analysis and invasive method, respectively. OVAspecific IgE and cytokine levels were detected by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of Tc1 and Tc2. Gata3 and Tbet mRNA was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR). #xA0;OVAsensitized and challenged mice displayed typical asthma features, which included eosinophilic airway inflammation, higher levels of Th2 cytokines and AHR. Gata3 mRNA, Tc2 frequencies and OVAspecific IgE levels were significantly increased in OVAsensitized and challenged mice. Compared to PBS treatment, Tregs decreased Tc2 frequencies, airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine levels and AHR in OVAsensitized and challenged mice. IL13 levels were negatively correlated with Tc1 frequencies and with IFNg levels in experimental mice. Our results demonstrated that Tregs could prevent airway inflammation and AHR by decreasing Tc2 frequencies and cytokine levels in OVAinduced asthma model of mice, supporting Tregmight be as a potent therapeutic target for alleviating airway inflammation and AHR. #xD; #xA0; #xD; #xA0; #xD; #xA0;