RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 CD39/CD73 and the imbalance of Th17 and Tregs (regulatory T cells) in allergic asthma JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3141 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Linlin Wang A1 Guochao Shi A1 Huanying Wan YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3141.abstract AB Background It has been demonstrated that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain self-tolerance and Th17 cells mediate inflammatory responses. CD39 was recently found expressed on a subset of human natural Tregs and CD39+Treg cells play an important role in constraining pathogenic Th17 cells. More studies have shown that Tregs could differentiate into IL-17+Foxp3+T cells. Our previous results indicated there is imbalance of Th17 and Tregs in allergic asthma. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.Methods We investigate CD39 and CD73 mRNA by qPCR, and the proportions of IL-17+Foxp3+T cells, CD39 and CD73 expressed by CD4+T cells and Tregs in peripheral blood from all subjects by flow cytometry.Results Our data indicated that 1) there was an increase in frequency of CD4+Foxp3+IL-17+T cells in moderate to severe asthmatics. 2) There was a deficiency both in CD39 mRNA and protein expressed by CD4+T cells in asthmatics. 3) There was a deficiency in frequency of CD39+Tregs and CD73+Tregs in patients with asthmatics.Conclusions The plasticity of Tregs to transform to IL-17+Foxp3+CD4+T cells and the reduced frequency of CD39+Tregs and less effective suppression of IL-17 production from residual CD39+Tregs lead to the imbalance of Th17 and Tregs in asthmatics, it indicated that enhancing CD39 activity maybe can prevent the progress of asthma.