@article {Idali:April 2008:0009-9104:127,
author = "Idali, F.",
author = "Wahlstrom, J.",
author = "Muller-Suur, C.",
author = "Eklund, A.",
author = "Grunewald, J.",
title = "Analysis of regulatory T cell associated forkhead box P3 expression in the lungs of patients with sarcoidosis",
journal = "Clinical & Experimental Immunology",
volume = "152",
year = "April 2008",
abstract = "Summary In pulmonary sarcoidosis, the typical T helper 1-mediated immune response in the lungs has been proposed to be co-ordinated by regulatory T cells; however, their exact role needs to be clarified. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to study genes involved in regulatory T cell functions in CD4+ T cells isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients (n = 24) and healthy subjects (n = 7). The genes included the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β1 and chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2). The same genes were also studied in isolated BALF CD4+ T cell receptor AV2S3+ and AV2S3- T cells of patients with lung-restricted AV2S3 T cell expansions (n = 12). Intracellular staining of the FoxP3 protein was performed additionally in 14 patients and nine healthy subjects. mRNA expression of FoxP3, CCR2 and IL-10 was decreased significantly in BALF CD4+ T cells of patients. Flow cytometric analysis of CD4+ T cells also demonstrated a decreased frequency of FoxP3+ cells in the BALF and blood of sarcoidosis patients as well as a reduced intensity (mean fluorescence intensity) of FoxP3 expression in BALF FoxP3+ cells of patients. BALF CD4+AV2S3+ T cells expressed significantly lower levels of FoxP3 and CCR2 mRNA versus BALF CD4+AV2S3- T cells. The main conclusion of our study is that there is a reduced expression of regulatory T cell associated genes in BALF CD4+ T cells in sarcoidosis. In addition, our data suggest an effector function of AV2S3+ lung-accumulated T cells in sarcoidosis.",
pages = "127-137(11)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cei/2008/00000152/00000001/art00018"
doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03609.x"
}