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Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes
Published on: August 20, 2007
Regulatory T Cells and Diabetes Mellitus
Weidong Qin1,2, Lei Sun3, Mei Dong1,4
1The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) protect against diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Modulating Tregs shows promise for preventing and treating DM and related conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Immune system dysfunction disrupts immune homeostasis, leading to autoimmune diseases.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining peripheral tolerance and immune homeostasis.
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk, equating to coronary heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of various types of DM.
- To discuss the function of Tregs in mitigating diabetic complications.
- To explore Tregs as a potential therapeutic target for DM and its sequelae.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Tregs, DM, and diabetic complications.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding Treg involvement in DM pathogenesis.
- Analysis of Treg function in cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy.
Main Results:
- Tregs play a protective role in the development of DM, including type 1, type 2, LADA, and gestational DM.
- Evidence suggests Tregs are beneficial in preventing and managing diabetic complications like cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy.
- The exact molecular mechanisms of Treg protection in DM remain to be fully elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Tregs exert a beneficial influence on the pathogenesis of DM and its associated complications.
- Targeting Tregs presents a promising novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of DM.
- Further research into the molecular mechanisms of Treg action is warranted for therapeutic development.
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