3.1.2. HLA-G promoter methylation profile
Methylation analysis of CpG sites located in HLA-G promoter region, immediately upstream from CpG96 island (Figure 1) revealed that CpG site 2 was significantly demethylated (p=0.004) and also, all CpGs in the area presented an obvious trend (T) for hypomethylation in the food allergic group, however, not reaching statistical significance (p=0.05), compared to control group (Figure 2C).
Conclusively, insignificant differences in methylation status ofFOXP3 TSDR between food allergic children and controls, suggests that Tregs, positive to FOXP3 expression, are distributed equivalently between the studied groups. Food allergic subjects participating in the study were untreated, though they had already abstained from food allergens causing hypersensitivity type I reaction and therefore, sample collection was performed under an evolving desensitization process. The experienced allergic reaction herein, reinforces the TregHLA-G+/FOXP3- subgroup generation as an immediate immune response to partially restore immune tolerance to the allergen and/or stimulating the next levels of desensitization.