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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
Functional plasticity in human FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells: implications for cell-based immunotherapy
Eva d'Hennezel1, Ciriaco A Piccirillo
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
|April 10, 2012
Summary
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are vital for immune balance. However, these Foxp3(+) Treg cells can lose function and become inflammatory, posing challenges for Treg-based therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD4(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing Foxp3 are crucial for immune homeostasis and self-tolerance.
- Treg cells possess potent suppressive properties essential for dominant tolerance in inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional plasticity of Foxp3(+) Treg cells.
- To understand the implications of Treg cell plasticity for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental evidence on Treg cell plasticity.
- Analysis of factors influencing Foxp3 expression and Treg cell reprogramming.
Main Results:
- Foxp3(+) Treg cells can adapt to environmental cues, downregulate Foxp3, and transform into inflammatory T cells.
- This plasticity presents potential risks for ex vivo manipulated Treg cells used in therapies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Treg cell plasticity is key to developing safe and effective Treg-based therapies.
- Strategies to control Treg cell plasticity may be crucial for successful therapeutic interventions in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
