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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
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Is Foxp3 a good marker for regulatory T cells?
The Egyptian Journal of Immunology
|March 28, 2015
Summary
Foxp3 expression increases in T regulatory cells (Tregs) after activation, validating its use as a reliable marker. The CD4(+)CD25(high) Foxp3(+) T cell subpopulation is key for Treg studies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for immune homeostasis.
- Foxp3 is a commonly used marker for identifying Tregs.
- The reliability of Foxp3 as a Treg marker after lymphocyte activation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of Foxp3 as a Treg marker by tracking its expression changes post-activation.
- To determine the most representative Treg subpopulation for targeted studies.
Main Methods:
- Four-colour flow cytometry was employed to analyze Treg percentages before and after T cell activation.
- Expression levels of Foxp3 and IL10 in various CD4(+) T cell subsets were quantified.
Main Results:
- Foxp3 expression increased in CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells post-activation.
- A negative correlation was observed between IL10-producing Treg subsets and total CD4(+)CD25(+) or CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells after activation.
- The CD4(+)CD25(high) T cell subpopulation exhibited significantly higher intracellular Foxp3 levels.
Conclusions:
- Foxp3 is a reliable marker for Treg identification, particularly when used in conjunction with other markers.
- The CD4(+)CD25(high) Foxp3(+) T cell subpopulation predominantly represents Tregs and is the optimal target for Treg-related research.
