Genetic and epigenetic studies of FOXP3 in asthma and allergy

• Published in: Asthma research and practice 2015, Vol.1 (1), p.10-10, Article 10
• Main Authors: Marques, Cintia Rodrigues, Costa, Ryan Santos, Costa, Gustavo Nunes de Oliveira, da Silva, Thiago Magalhães, Teixeira, Tatiane Oliveira, de Andrade, Emília Maria Medeiros, Galvão, Alana A, Carneiro, Valdirene Leão, Figueiredo, Camila Alexandrina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 2054-7064; 2054-7064
• DOI: 10.1186/s40733-015-0012-4

Multiple factors interact to trigger allergic diseases, including individual genetic background and factors related to the environment such as exposure to allergens, air pollution and respiratory infections. The FOXP3 transcription factor is constitutively expressed in CD4 CD25 FOXP3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) and is critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. For example, FOXP3 is responsible for the suppression of the Th2 response following exposure to allergens. Studies have shown that expression of the gene is reduced in patients with asthma and allergies compared to healthy controls. Therefore, the impairment of FOXP3 function caused by genetic polymorphisms and/or epigenetic mechanisms may be involved in the etiology of asthma and other allergic diseases. This review discusses some aspects of the role of FOXP3 in the development of asthma and allergy, with a particular emphasis on genetic and epigenetic factors.