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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

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
Significant expression of Foxp3 in murine extrathymic CD4+CD8+ double positive T cells
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowski Street 13, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland.
Murine extrathymic double-positive (DP) T cells express Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), a key marker for regulatory T (Treg) cells. These DP cells resemble CD4+ T cells in Foxp3 expression, suggesting a unique regulatory T cell subset.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) is essential for regulatory T (Treg) cell development and function.
- Regulatory T cells play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Foxp3 expression in murine head and neck lymph node (HNLN) and peripheral blood (PB) CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) T cells.
- To compare Foxp3 expression in DP T cells with that in CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells.
- To explore the potential of extrathymic DP T cells as a unique regulatory T cell subset.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of Foxp3 expression in murine T cell populations.
- Comparison of Foxp3+ DP T cells with CD4+ SP and CD8+ SP T cells from HNLN and PB.
- Assessment of CD25 expression in conjunction with Foxp3 in DP T cells.
Main Results:
- Murine extrathymic DP T cells were found to express Foxp3.
- The mean percentage of Foxp3-expressing cells in HNLN and PB DP cells was 22.4% and 16.2%, respectively.
- Foxp3 expression in DP cells was similar to CD4+ SP cells and significantly different from CD8+ SP cells.
- Foxp3 expression in DP cells positively correlated with CD25 expression.
Conclusions:
- Murine extrathymic DP T cells express Foxp3, indicating a potential regulatory function.
- These Foxp3+ DP T cells share characteristics with CD4+ T cells, distinguishing them from CD8+ T cells.
- The findings suggest that Foxp3+ DP T cells represent a distinct regulatory T cell subset with implications for immune regulation research.
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