CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in IBD

Introduction: Intestinal immune responses are regulated by both specialized inflammatory and regulatory T cell (Treg) populations. Aims: Based on previous results from our group, we now determine whether differences in the frequency of Treg or Treg subsets in peripheral blood of IBD patients can serve as a subclinical marker of disease activity and investigate basic mechanisms of the activation and suppressive function of Treg in IBD. Methods: We established a combined staining of FOXP3 and CD25 which allows a more precise quantification of Treg by flow cytometry compared to gating on CD4+CD25high cells. In addi…