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Updated: Aug 16, 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
Regulatory T cells: From Foxp3 to tolerance-inducing therapies
Hisato Iriki1, Miho Mukai2, Hayato Takahashi2
1Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Skin Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan.
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The immune system balances self-tolerance and threat defense; regulatory T cells (Tregs) enforce this equilibrium. This review follows their journey from the disputed suppressor T-cell era to the Foxp3-defined lineage and then integrates how Tregs recalibrate antigen-presenting cells and cytokine networks to sustain immune quiescence and restore homeostasis. These insights shape emerging therapies that expand endogenous Tregs in vivo with low-dose IL-2 or employ ex vivo-engineered cells to re-establish immune balance. We conclude by outlining key challenges-stability, tissue targeting, and scalability-for durable tolerance and therapeutic applications of recently clarified Treg-mediated tissue-specific homeostasis.

