Regulatory T cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs; pronounced: /rɛɡjʊˈlætɔːri tiː sɛlz/), also known as suppressor T cells, are a subpopulation of T cells which modulate the immune system, maintain tolerance to self-antigens, and prevent autoimmune disease. Tregs are immunosuppressive and generally suppress or downregulate induction and proliferation of effector T cells.

Etymology

The term "Regulatory T cells" is derived from their function in regulating the immune response. The abbreviation "Tregs" is a combination of "T" from T cells and "regs" from regulatory.

Function

Regulatory T cells are crucial for the maintenance of immunological tolerance. Their major role is to shut down T cell mediated immunity toward the end of an immune reaction and to suppress auto-reactive T cells that escaped the process of negative selection in the thymus.

Types

There are many different types of regulatory T cells in the body, including:

CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells: These are the most well-known and studied type of Tregs. They express the transcription factor Foxp3, which is crucial for their development and function.

Tr1 cells: These Tregs are induced in the periphery and produce high amounts of IL-10.

Th3 cells: These Tregs are induced in the periphery and produce TGF-beta.

Clinical significance

Regulatory T cells are a potential target for immunotherapy, particularly in cancer, where they can suppress the immune response against tumors. They are also involved in controlling the immune response in infections, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Regulatory T cells
Wikipedia's article - Regulatory T cells

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Regulatory T cells