Regulatory T cells: history and perspective.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• The immune system possesses regulatory T cells (Treg cells) for immune suppression.
• Depletion of specific T-cell subpopulations in rodents led to autoimmune disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify molecular markers for autoimmune-preventive Treg cells.
• Characterize Treg cell development and function.
• Establish assays for Treg cell activity.

Main Methods:

• Depletion of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells in rodents.
• Identification of CD25 as a Treg cell marker.
• Development of in vitro assays for Treg cell suppressive activity.
• Analysis of Foxp3 expression in natural Treg cells.

Main Results:

• CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells were identified as critical for preventing spontaneous autoimmune disease.
• Foxp3 was identified as a specific transcription factor for natural Treg cells.
• Foxp3 mutations were linked to various immunological diseases in humans and rodents.

Conclusions:

• Foxp3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Treg cells are essential for maintaining immunologic self-tolerance and homeostasis.
• Treg cells have potential clinical applications for treating immune diseases and modulating immune responses.