[Human immunoregulating (suppressing?) CD4+, CD25+ T lymphocytes ex vivo and in vitro, in the normal state and in pathology]

Among T lymphocytes CD4+, the subpopulation of cells carrying the alpha-chain of the receptor of interleukin-2 (CD25) and designated as regulating T cells (Treg) has recently been marked out. Such cells produce mainly suppressing effect in the immune system and have been identified not only in experimental animals, but also in humans. The prolonged experience of the evaluation of such cells has been summarized with the cells evaluated in the peripheral blood and in culture, after their stimulation in vitro, lymphocytes obtained from healthy persons and patients with some diseases leading to the development of immunodeficient states (bronchial asthma in the state of exacerbation, newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic pyelonephritis). In all cases an increased circulation of T cells CD4+, CD25(4), which may be indicative of their immunosuppressing action was found. The correlation between the high level of these cells ex vivo and a decrease in the proliferative activity of T cells in vitro is noted. The level and functional properties of the subpopulation of T lymphocytes CD4+, CD25+ are among the most informative criteria of the functioning of me immune system in the normal state and in immunopathology. Search for medicinal preparations modulating the function of human regulating T lymphocytes is necessary.