Abstract: Objective To investigate the changes in percentage of GATA3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and mouse models. Methods The nasal mucosa specimens were obtained from 6 AR patients and 6 control patients for detection of nasal mucosal inflammation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 12 AP patients and 12 control patients to determine the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3+ Treg cells. In a C57BL/6 mouse model of AR, the AR symptom score, peripheral blood OVA-sIgE level, and nasal mucosal inflammation were assessed, and the spleen of mice was collected for detecting the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3+ Treg cells and the expressions of Th2 cytokines. Results Compared with the control patients, AR patients showed significantly increased eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell proliferation in the nasal mucosa (P<0.01) and decreased percentages of Treg cells and GATA3+ Treg cells (P<0.05). The mouse models of AR also had more obvious allergic symptoms, significantly increased OVA-sIgE level in peripheral blood, eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia (P<0.01), markedly lowered percentages of Treg cells and GATA3 + Treg cells in the spleen (P<0.01), and increased expressions of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (P<0.05). Conclusion The percentage of GATA3+ Treg cells is decreased in AR patients and mouse models. GATA3 + Treg cells possibly participate in Th2 cell immune response, both of which are involved in the occurrence and progression of AR, suggesting the potential of GATA3 + Treg cells as a new therapeutic target for AR.

Key words: allergic rhinitis; regulatory T cells; GATA3⁺ Treg cells; immunoregulation