Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
16:26
Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes
Published on: August 20, 2007
Type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1) in autoimmunity
Caroline Pot1, Lionel Apetoh, Vijay K Kuchroo
1Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Seminars in Immunology
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells suppress autoimmune responses. Interleukin-27 (IL-27) promotes Tr1 cell generation, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases by targeting transcription factors aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and c-Maf.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology
Background:
- Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells are crucial for immune tolerance by suppressing effector immune cells in autoimmune conditions.
- Challenges in generating sufficient Tr1 cells in vitro have limited understanding of their differentiation mechanisms.
- Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is recognized for its role in suppressing T(H)17 cells and promoting Tr1 cell generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms underlying IL-27-induced Tr1 cell differentiation.
- To highlight the roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and c-Maf transcription factors in this process.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting AhR ligands for autoimmune diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on IL-27, Tr1 cells, AhR, and c-Maf.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in Tr1 cell differentiation.
- Discussion of potential therapeutic applications of AhR agonists.
Main Results:
- IL-27 is a key cytokine in inducing Tr1 cell differentiation.
- Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and c-Maf are critical transcription factors in IL-27-mediated Tr1 cell generation.
- Tr1 cells exert immunosuppressive effects, partly via IL-10 secretion, to mitigate autoimmunity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding IL-27-driven Tr1 cell differentiation, particularly the roles of AhR and c-Maf, is vital for autoimmune disease research.
- Targeting AhR pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for managing human autoimmune diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:12Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
01:38What is the Immune System?
Overview
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...