Introduction: Bronchial lymphocytes T in asthmatic patients are characterized by activated phenotype. To date, however, it is unknown, what is the level of potential susceptibility of bronchial lymphocytes T to numerous pro- and anti-allergic cytokines detected in asthmatic airways. Here we aimed to analyze the surface levels of  lymphocyte CD210 (IL-10 receptor) and CD127 (IL-7 receptor) expression in asthmatic patients.

Material and methods: Thirteen moderate asthmatic patients (seven steroid-naive and six steroid-treated) and seven healthy volunteers were enrolled to the study. Induced sputum lymphocytes T were labeled with anti-CD3, anti-CD210, and, anti-CD127 monoclonal antibodies and were subsequently analyzed with the use of flow cytometry.

Results: Bronchial lymphocytes T presented with substantial levels of IL-10R. There were no detectable differences in levels of IL-10R expression among studied groups. IL-7R levels were significantly lower as compared to corresponding IL-10R levels. Neither IL-10R nor IL-7R levels were correlated to exhaled nitric oxide concentrations.

Conclusions: Our data indicate for differential susceptibility of bronchial lymphocytes T to actions of IL-10 and IL-7.