Analysis of Peripherally Derived Treg in the Intestine

Elucidation of the symbiotic relationship between the host and its gut microbiota is critically important for understanding host pathophysiology. Peripherally derived regulatory T cells (pTregs) are recognized as central to immune homeostasis in the intestine. Moreover, the gut microbiota nourishes the intestinal and systemic immune systems, including pTreg, via their metabolites and other components. Therefore, methods to detect pTreg as well as to analyze the interactions between the gut microbiota and pTreg are important for better understanding of the symbiotic relationship with these microorganisms. Here, we describe a protocol to isolate colonic lamina propria cells and analyze pTregs in mice.