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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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
GARP: a key receptor controlling FOXP3 in human regulatory T cells
M Probst-Kepper1, R Geffers, A Kröger
1Junior Research Group for Xenotransplantation, Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Researchers identified GARP as a key regulator of FOXP3 in T(reg) cells. This discovery, involving LGALS3 and LGMN, offers potential for therapeutic manipulation of T cells in human diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Regulatory T cells (T(reg)) play a crucial role in immune homeostasis.
- Sustained high levels of FOXP3 are characteristic of T(reg) cells.
- Understanding the regulatory pathways controlling T(reg) cell function is essential for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes involved in human T(reg) cell function.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling FOXP3 expression and T(reg) cell stability.
- To explore the potential of targeting these pathways for therapeutic manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptional profiling of ex vivo activated T(reg) and T(h) cells.
- Retroviral and lentiviral gene manipulation (overexpression and down-regulation).
- Flow cytometry and functional assays to assess T(reg) cell phenotype and suppressor function.
Main Results:
- GARP, LGALS3, and LGMN were identified as novel genes induced upon T-cell receptor stimulation in T(reg) cells.
- GARP overexpression in T(h) cells induced a stable T(reg) cell phenotype with FOXP3 up-regulation.
- GARP and FOXP3 form a positive feedback loop, with LGALS3 and LGMN assisting this process.
- Down-regulation of GARP or FOXP3 impaired T(reg) cell suppressor function.
Conclusions:
- GARP is a key receptor controlling FOXP3 in T(reg) cells via a positive feedback loop.
- LGALS3 and LGMN support the GARP-FOXP3 regulatory axis.
- This pathway represents a promising target for therapeutic T cell manipulation in human diseases.
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