Cohen RI, et al. - In this investigation, researchers examined the possibility of reducing the number and function of regulatory T cells (Treg) contributing to the association between obesity and asthma. They focused on obese women with childhood-onset asthma, as Treg may be involved in this phenotype. For this investigation, 64 women (ages 18–50) were recruited into 4 groups: lean (BMI 18–25 kg/m²) controls (n = 17) and asthmatics (n = 13), and obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²) controls (n = 17) and asthmatics (n = 17). Lung function, asthma control and quality of life were evaluated. In comparison to lean asthmatics, obese asthmatics had worse lung function, asthma control and quality of life. Findings revealed that obese, atopic women with asthma diagnosed in childhood show increased number of Treg cells and slightly decreased function of Treg cells. The data do not support the view that this obese-asthma phenotype contributes to the reduced number of Treg cells.