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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Naïve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-β-containing Protocol
08:20

In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Naïve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-β-containing Protocol

Published on: December 30, 2016

Special regulatory T-cell review: FOXP3 biochemistry in regulatory T cells--how diverse signals regulate suppression

Bin Li1, Mark I Greene

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA.

Immunology
|December 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is crucial for human regulatory T cell function, acting as a transcription regulator within larger molecular complexes. Understanding its modifications is key to therapeutic immune modulation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is a key transcription factor in human regulatory T cells.
  • FOXP3 functions within dynamic molecular complexes regulated by cellular signals.
  • Post-translational modifications (PTMs) influence FOXP3 activity and complex formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of PTMs in FOXP3 function within regulatory T cells.
  • To understand the biochemical and structural basis of FOXP3 complex regulation.
  • To identify therapeutic targets for modulating regulatory T cell activity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of FOXP3 acetylation and phosphorylation.
  • Investigation of FOXP3 oligomerization and complex formation.
  • Study of regulatory T cell responses to T-cell receptor, IL-2, and cytokine signals.

Main Results:

  • FOXP3 undergoes acetylation and phosphorylation, impacting its function.
  • FOXP3 forms oligomers that associate with larger protein complexes.
  • Physiological stimuli dynamically regulate FOXP3 complex composition and activity.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding FOXP3 PTMs and complex biochemistry is critical for immune cell regulation.
  • Targeting FOXP3 modifications offers a potential therapeutic strategy for immune disorders.
  • Further research into FOXP3 structural chemistry can advance regulatory T cell therapies.

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