Evaluation of the relationship between T regulatory cells and vitamin D levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

Objective: T regulatory (Treg) cells play a role in autoimmunity and vitamin D is one of the factors involved in regulation of Treg cells. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the relationship between Treg cells and disease-related parameters and serum vitamin D levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients. Methods: The percentage of Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)Vit D) levels were determined by commercial available ELISA kit. Results: Thirty eight CSU patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)FOXP3(+) T cells in the patient group were found lower than in the control group (p=0.018, p=0.000). No difference was detected between groups in terms of the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T cells and the 25(OH) Vit D levels (p=0.192, p=0.218). There was no significant relationship between disease duration, weekly urticaria activity score, autologous serum skin test (ASST), serum 25(OH) Vit D levels and the percentage of Treg cells in CSU patients. Conclusion: The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)FOXP3(+) T cells in CSU patients were observed to be lower than control group independent from the serum 25(OH)Vit D levels, ASST positivity, disease duration and severity. This result suggests that Treg cells are one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of CSU.