Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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
[Transcription factor FOXP3 and reproduction]
Xin-Yi Xia1, Xin Zhou, Yu-Feng Huang
1Department of Reproduction and Genetics, PLA Research Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue = National Journal of Andrology
|August 22, 2009
Summary
Regulatory T cells (Treg), crucial for maternal immune tolerance during pregnancy, are regulated by FOXP3. Inadequate FOXP3 expression is linked to pregnancy complications like miscarriage and infertility.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
Context:
- Successful pregnancy requires maternal immune adaptation to the semi-allogeneic fetus.
- Disturbances in maternal immune tolerance are linked to pregnancy loss.
Purpose:
- To review the structure, function, and regulatory mechanisms of FOXP3.
- To explore the role of FOXP3 and regulatory T cells in reproductive health and fertility pathologies.
Summary:
- FOXP3 is essential for regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation.
- Tregs (CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+) maintain self-tolerance and immune homeostasis, accumulating in the decidua during pregnancy.
- Reduced FOXP3 expression correlates with recurrent spontaneous abortion, infertility, and implantation failure.
Impact:
- FOXP3 and Tregs represent potential therapeutic targets for immune-mediated fertility disorders.
- Understanding FOXP3's role can advance treatments for infertility and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30General Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:16Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
02:16Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.