Increased regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of children with eosinophilic esophagitis

AIM: Considering the allergic basis of Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), this study was conducted to evaluate peripheral blood Tregs in children with EoE. BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disease of gastrointestinal tract. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a confirmed role in allergic disorders. METHODS: Children with EoE, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healthy controls (HC) (10 subjects in each group) were recruited after diagnosis by a pediatric gastroenterologist and allergist. After obtaining informed written consent, peripheral blood was obtained. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll gradient centrifugation. Flowcytometry was used to enumerate peripheral blood Tregs (CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+)FOXP3(+) gated lymphocytes were considered as Tregs). RESULTS: CD4(+) gated lymphocytes significantly increased in EoE and GERD groups compared to HC group (p= 0.018). Tregs also was significantly increased in EoE in comparison to HC group (p=0.016). There were no statistically significant differences in Tregs of EoE as compared to GERD subjects (p=0.085). CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood Tregs increase in patients with EoE as compared to healthy controls, which may be indicative of a feedback mechanism to regulate inflammatory responses.