Human regulatory T cells: a unique, stable thymic subset or a reversible peripheral state of differentiation?

Vinodh Pillai; Nitin J Karandikar

doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2007.08.012

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Human regulatory T cells: a unique, stable thymic subset or a reversible peripheral state of differentiation?

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Human regulatory T cells: a unique, stable thymic subset or a reversible peripheral state of differentiation?

Vinodh Pillai and Nitin J Karandikar

Immunology letters, Vol.114(1), pp.9-15

11/30/2007

DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2007.08.012

PMCID: PMC2095117

PMID: 17945352

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Abstract

FOXP3 is probably the best marker available currently for identifying natural regulatory T cells (T(reg)s) in mice and humans. Evidence from mouse literature suggests that natural FOXP3(+) T(reg)s are formed in the thymus and expand in the periphery to contribute significantly to peripheral T(reg)s. In this review, we discuss recent reports that show that, in humans, the formation of FOXP3(+) T(reg)s is a natural consequence of T cell activation and that de novo peripheral generation of FOXP3(+) T(reg)s is a much more dominant source of circulating T(reg)s than natural thymically derived T(reg)s. We also suggest that the role of T(reg)s in human diseases must be reviewed in light of these new findings and great caution should be exercised in immunotherapeutic interventions that involve the modulation or generation of putative T(reg)s.

Autoimmunity

CD4 Antigens - immunology

T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism

Virus Diseases - immunology

Lymphocyte Activation

Humans

Autoimmune Diseases - immunology

Thymus Gland - cytology

CD8 Antigens - immunology

T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology

CD8 Antigens - metabolism

Neoplasms - therapy

Animals

Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism

Neoplasms - immunology

T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - cytology

Autoimmune Diseases - therapy

Thymus Gland - immunology

Cell Differentiation

CD4 Antigens - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Human regulatory T cells: a unique, stable thymic subset or a reversible peripheral state of differentiation?
Creators: Vinodh Pillai - Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9072, USA
Nitin J Karandikar
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Immunology letters, Vol.114(1), pp.9-15
DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2007.08.012
PMID: 17945352
PMCID: PMC2095117
NLM abbreviation: Immunol Lett
ISSN: 0165-2478
eISSN: 1879-0542
Publisher: Netherlands
Grant note: R01 AI053439-04 / NIAID NIH HHS R56 AI053439 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI053439 / NIAID NIH HHS R56 AI053439-05A1 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 11/30/2007
Academic Unit: Pathology
Record Identifier: 9984046815402771

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