Regulatory T cells.

Journal article

Regulatory T (TR) cells are a subset of T cells that function to control immune responses. Different populations of TR cells have been described, including thymically derived CD4(+)CD25+ TR cells and Tr1 cells induced in the periphery through exposure to antigen. A transcription factor, Foxp3, has been identified that is essential for CD4(+)CD25+ TR cell development and function. There is now evidence that transforming growth factor-beta might play a role in this pathway. CD4(+)CD25+ TR cells proliferate extensively in vivo in an antigen-specific manner, and can respond to both self and foreign peptides. By suppressing excessive immune responses, TR cells play a key role in the maintenance of self-tolerance, thus preventing autoimmune disease, as well as inhibiting harmful inflammatory diseases such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.

Authors: Thompson, C; Powrie, F

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Current opinion in pharmacology
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 408-414
• Publication date: 2004-08-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2004.05.001
• EISSN: 1471-4973
• ISSN: 1471-4892
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antigens, Differentiation; Animals; Receptors, Interleukin-2; CTLA-4 Antigen; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Antigens, CD; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Interleukin-10; Humans; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Lymphocyte Activation