Regulatory T cells: A review.
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2012-11
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Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the homeostasis
of the immune system and in the modulation of the immune
response. Tregs have emerged as key players in the development
and maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance. Broadly
speaking, CD4+ T cells possessing the ability to suppress
immune responses can be divided into two types: naturally
occurring (nTreg) and inducible (iTreg) or adaptive regulatory
cells. Naturally occurring thymus-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs
are a subset of T cells which have immunosuppressive properties
and are 5%–10% of the total peripheral CD4+ T cells. In
normal conditions, Tregs regulate ongoing immune responses
and prevent autoimmunity. Imbalanced function or number of
these cells, either enhanced or decreased, might lead to tumour
development and autoimmunity, respectively. These cells thus
play a major role in autoimmune diseases, transplantation
tolerance, infectious diseases, allergic disease and tumour
immunity. These natural properties make Tregs attractive tools
for novel immunotherapeutic approaches. The in vivo
manipulation or depletion of Tregs may help devise effective
immunotherapy for patients with cancer, autoimmunity, graftversus-
host disease, infectious diseases and allergic diseases. It is
crucial to understand the biology of Tregs before attempting
therapies, including (i) the injection of expanded Tregs to cure
autoimmune disease or prevent graft-versus-host disease or (ii)
the depletion or inhibition of Tregs in cancer therapy. Recent
findings in murine models and studies in humans have opened
new avenues to study the biology of Tregs and their therapeutic
potential. This overview provides a framework for integrating
these concepts of basic and translational research.
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DASGUPTA ALAKANANDA, SAXENA RENU. Regulatory T cells: A review. National Medical Journal of India. 2012 Nov-Dec ; 25(6): 341-351.