The number of regulatory T cells in transbronchial lung allograft biopsies is related to FoxP3 mRNA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and to the degree of acute cellular rejection

The association between the distribution of Tregs in transbronchial biopsies and the level of FoxP3 mRNA in BALF indicates that assessment of FoxP3 mRNA in BALF is a reliable non-invasive method for evaluating the number of Tregs in lung tissue. Furthermore, the association between the number of Tregs in lung tissue and the degree of acute cellular rejection shows that Tregs are recruited to the site of inflammation and may be involved in the regulation of acute rejection. Thus, Tregs may play a role in the cellular processes that affect lung allograft outcome.