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Rationale: The implication of T cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is controversial. CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal in maintaining immune homeostasis, but their role in IPF pathophysiology has not yet been studied.

Objectives: To explore Treg dynamics and function in IPF.

Methods: Treg levels and dynamics were analyzed by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood (PB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 21 patients with IPF, 35 patients with lung diseases other than IPF (patients without IPF), 20 patients with collagen vascular diseases with pulmonary parenchymal involvement (CVD-IP), and 28 healthy volunteers. The suppression of autologous CD4⁺CD25⁻ cell-proliferative responses and cytokine release by magnetic bead–isolated Tregs was evaluated by proliferation assays and cytometric bead array. Correlations of Treg function and levels with lung …