Induced Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells: a potential new weapon to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases?

J Mol Cell Biol. 2012 Feb;4(1):22-8. doi: 10.1093/jmcb/mjr039. Epub 2011 Nov 22.

Abstract

Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) consisting of natural and induced Treg subsets play a crucial role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis against self-antigen. The actions designed to correct defects in numbers or functions of Tregs may be therapeutic in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. While recent studies demonstrated that natural Tregs are instable and dysfunctional in the inflammatory condition, induced Tregs (iTregs) may have a different feature. Here we review the progress of iTregs, particularly focus on their stability and function in the established autoimmune diseases. The advantage of iTregs as therapeutics used under inflammatory conditions is highlighted. Proper generation and manipulation of iTregs used for cellular therapy may provide a promise for the treatment of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / therapy*
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / transplantation*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Transplantation Immunology

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta