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.