CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (TREG) are pivotal in the maintenance of immune tolerance to self-antigens and act as regulators of autoimmune reactions. There are two subsets of TREG: naturally occurring (nTREG) which develop in the thymus and inducible (iTREG) which are generated from conventional Foxp3- effector T cells (TCONV) in the periphery or in vitro. While both subsets require Foxp3 expression to function, iTREG cells gradually downregulate Foxp3 in vitro and lose their suppressive capabilities. In contrast, nTREG cells show constitutive Foxp3 expression and demonstrate stable...
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (TREG) are pivotal in the maintenance of immune tolerance to self-antigens and act as regulators of autoimmune reactions...