Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart
Published on: August 23, 2018
Regulatory cells and infectious agents: detentes cordiale and contraire
1Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. btr@utk.edu
Abstract:
This brief review describes the types of interactions that occur between CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and microbial pathogens. These interactions range from one of mutual benefit (détente cordiale) such as occurs in Leishmania major infection of resistant mouse strains, to instances where the Treg response appears to mainly favor the pathogen and be detrimental to the host (détente contraire). Examples of the latter include chronic persistent infections with retroviruses, perhaps including HIV, and hepatitis C virus. The Treg response also hampers the effectiveness of immunity against some acute virus infections such as HSV. Evidence is also discussed showing that Treg can play a benevolent role to limit the severity of bystander tissue damage in circumstances where the immune response to pathogens is immunopathological. Finally, emerging approaches are discussed that either blunt or activate Treg and that could be used practically to manage host-pathogen interaction.
Related Concept Videos
Neural Regulation
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
