Regulatory T cell in stroke: a new paradigm for immune regulation

Clin Dev Immunol. 2013:2013:689827. doi: 10.1155/2013/689827. Epub 2013 Aug 4.

Abstract

Stroke is a common, debilitating trauma that has an incompletely elucidated pathophysiology and lacks an effective therapy. FoxP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress a variety of normal physiological and pathological immune responses via several pathways, such as inhibitory cytokine secretion, direct cytolysis induction, and antigen-presenting cell functional modulation. FoxP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Tregs are involved in a variety of central nervous system diseases and injuries, including axonal injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke. Specifically, FoxP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Tregs exert neuroprotective effects in acute experimental stroke models. These beneficial effects, however, are difficult to elucidate. In this review, we summarized evidence of FoxP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Tregs as potentially important immunomodulators in stroke pathogenesis and highlight further investigations for possible immunotherapeutic strategies by modulating the quantity and/or functional effects of FoxP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) Tregs in stroke patients.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Central Nervous System Diseases / immunology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Stroke / immunology*
  • Stroke / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit