A more pronounced expression of FOXP3 mRNA and also the number of FOXP3(+) cells (with simultaneous expression of CD25 and CD4 markers) were found in the small-bowel biopsy specimens obtained from children with CD, particularly those with coexisting T1D, compared with the FOXP3 expression in normal mucosa.
Because the role of regulatory T cells in the intestinal inflammation is unknown in coeliac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), CD25, transforming growth factor-beta, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15 and IL-18 was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the small intestinal biopsies from paediatric patients with active or potential CD, T1D and control patients.