Objective: To study the expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA in asthmatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after stimulation by Dermatophagoides farinae antigen (Df), and the relationship among the three transcription factors.
Methods: Twenty-five patients of asthma and 15 healthy controls were included. The mRNA levels of T-bet, GATA-3, and FOXP3 in PBMC before and after Df stimulation were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chair reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: There was no statistical difference (t = 0.78, 0.38 respectively, all P > 0.05) in the levels of T-bet and FOXP3 mRNA between the patients (0.3 +/- 0.4, 0.42 +/- 0.24 respectively) and the healthy controls (0.4 +/- 0.3, 0.39 +/- 0.37 respectively). However, GATA-3 mRNA was statistically different (t = 2.27, P < 0.05) between the patients (1.0 +/- 0.3) and the healthy controls (0.8 +/- 0.3). After the stimulation of PBMC by Df, the levels of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA showed statistical difference (t = 2.30, 3.79, 2.08 respectively, P < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.05 respectively) between the patients (0.33 +/- 0.39, 1.58 +/- 1.44, 0.11 +/- 0.32 respectively) and the healthy controls (0.03 +/- 0.40, 0.11 +/- 0.53, 0.43 +/- 0.66 respectively). The FOXP3 mRNA level in the asthmatics was negatively correlated with T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA (r = -0.46, P < 0.05, r = -0.62, P < 0.01 respectively).
Conclusions: There are a predominant expression of GATA-3 and T-bet, but a decreased expression of FOXP3 in Df-stimulated PBMCs from patients with asthma.