The expression level of FOXP3 and CD25 in Iraqi patients with post burn injuries

Introduction and Aim: Regulatory T cells (Treg) are characterized by CD25+ expression and Foxp3+ transcription factors which is a characteristic marker for these cells. This study aimed to investigate the expression of Foxp3 in patients with post-burn injuries in Baghdad, Iraq. Materials and Methods: The study samples included 38 persons divided into two groups: the first group included patients with Total Body surface area (TBSA) of burn less than 45% (TBSA 45 %), and patients with TBSA of burn more than 45 % (TBSA 45%). The control group included healthy individuals (n=10). The expression of FOXP3 and CD25 of Treg cells was measured by using flow cytometry and data obtained was statistically analyzed. Results: The result of the study showed a significant increase in Foxp3 and CD25 expression in Treg cells that were isolated from peripheral blood in patients with TBSA 45 % and TBSA 45% following day 1 and day 5 of the burn injury in contrast to the control group, and the expression level of Foxp3 was (35.674, 63.768 ,16.147) respectively after the first day of the burn, while the expression level of Foxp3 after the fifth day of the burn was (39.588, 47.275, 16.1470) respectively. Similarly, the levels of CD5 recorded for patients in TBSA 45%, TBSA45% and control group on day1 was 29.747, 43.447 and 16.793 respectively, while on day 5 it was 33.870.197 and 16.793, for the three groups, respectively. Conclusion: The increase of Foxp3 and CD25 expression in Treg cells isolated from burn patients has an important effect in enhancing the activity of Treg cells in inhibiting the immune response.