The PCR primers and probes were designed based on the sequences reported in GenBank with the Primer Express software version 1.2 (Applied Biosystems) as follows: FOXP3 forward primer 5′-GAA ACA GCA CAT TCC CAG AGT TC-3′; FOXP3 reverse primer 5′-ATG GCC CAG CGG ATG AG-3′; EF-1α forward primer and reverse primer as described [61]; GATA3 forward primer 5′-GCG GGC TCT ATC ACA AAA TGA-3′ and rwd 5′-GCT CTC CTG GCT GCA GAC AGC-3′.