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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
Structural aspects of the FOXP3 regulatory complex as an immunopharmacological target
Zhaocai Zhou1, Xiaomin Song, Alan Berezov
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA.
Abstract:
The forkhead family transcription factor FOXP3 plays a fundamental role in immune homeostasis. FOXP3 dysfunction in regulatory T cells (Tregs) contributes to multiple disease processes such as autoimmunity, tumor development, and viral infection. FOXP3 cooperates and associates with a group of other transcriptional factors, co-repressors and co-activators in Tregs to form one or more dynamic regulatory complexes. These ensembles communicate with multiple key signaling pathways to either upregulate or downregulate the expression of downstream target genes such as cytokines and cell surface receptors, which are critical for the control of normal immune responses. Although the details of the underlying mechanism by which FOXP3 operates as a transcriptional repressor or an activator is largely undefined, FOXP3(+) Tregs based cellular therapies have been studied in animal models. Our recent studies concerning the FOXP3 complex ensemble provide structural and biochemical insights into FOXP3 function of Tregs, which are essential to the development of novel immunopharmacological agents for treating human immunological disease.
Insights
The transcription factor FOXP3 is crucial for immune balance. Understanding its complex interactions offers new avenues for treating immune diseases like autoimmunity and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for immune homeostasis and the function of regulatory T cells (Tregs).
- Dysfunction of FOXP3 in Tregs is implicated in various diseases, including autoimmunity, cancer, and viral infections.
- FOXP3 operates within dynamic regulatory complexes, influencing gene expression critical for immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structural and biochemical mechanisms of FOXP3 function within Tregs.
- To gain insights into how FOXP3 acts as a transcriptional repressor or activator.
- To inform the development of novel immunopharmacological agents for immunological diseases.
Main Methods:
- Structural and biochemical analyses of the FOXP3 complex ensemble.
- Investigation of FOXP3 interactions with other transcriptional factors, co-repressors, and co-activators.
- Study of signaling pathways modulated by FOXP3 complexes.
Main Results:
- Provided structural and biochemical insights into the FOXP3 complex ensemble.
- Detailed the interactions of FOXP3 with regulatory partners within Tregs.
- Highlighted the role of these complexes in modulating key signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the FOXP3 complex is vital for comprehending Treg function in immune homeostasis.
- These findings are essential for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting immunological diseases.
- FOXP3 complex insights pave the way for novel immunopharmacological agents.
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