The role of mucosal T lymphocytes in regulating intestinal inflammation.

Journal article

Suppression of chronic intestinal inflammation by different subtypes of T cells has been described in recent years. In particular, naturally arising CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and IL-10-producing regulatory T cell type 1 CD4(+) T lymphocytes have been implicated in the regulation of intestinal inflammation. Here we focus on the ability of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells to suppress innate and T-cell responses and discuss implications for immunoregulation in human inflammatory bowel disease. Besides the modulation of lymphoproliferation, a role for CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in down-modulation of innate immune responses is emerging and the immunoregulatory activities of regulatory T cells in vivo may be mediated via effects on dendritic cells. Considering the extraordinary regenerative potential of the intestinal mucosa, the ability to impede pathogenic T-cell responses by active regulation might be of particular therapeutic benefit for the treatment of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Authors: Uhlig, H; Powrie, F

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Springer seminars in immunopathology
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 167-180
• Publication date: 2005-09-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s00281-005-0206-6
• EISSN: 1432-2196
• ISSN: 0344-4325
• Language: English
• Keywords: Intestines; Animals; Colitis; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Cytokines; Humans