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Naturally occurring regulatory T cells: markers, mechanisms, and manipulation
Author(s) -
Schmetterer Klaus G.,
Neunkirchner Alina,
Pickl Winfried F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.11-193672
Subject(s) - chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , computational biology , biology
Naturally occurring CD4 + CD25 high forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) + regulatory T cells (nTregs) are key mediators of immunity, which orchestrate and maintain tolerance to self and foreign antigens. In the recent 1.5 decades, a multitude of studies have aimed to define the phenotype and function of nTregs and to assess their therapeutic potential for modulating immune mediated disorders such as autoimmunity, allergy, and episodes of transplant rejection. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biology of nTregs. We address the exact definition of nTregs by specific markers and combinations thereof, which is a prerequisite for the state‐of‐the‐art isolation of defined nTreg populations. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanism by which nTregs mediate immunosuppression and how this knowledge might translate into novel therapeutic modalities. With first clinical studies of nTreg‐based therapies being finished, questions concerning the reliable sources of nTregs are becoming more and more eminent. Consequently, approaches allowing conversion of CD4 + T cells into nTregs by coculture with antigen‐presenting cells, cytokines, and/or pharmacological agents are discussed. In addition, genetic engineering approaches for the generation of antigen‐specific nTregs are described.—Schmetterer, K. G., Neunkirchner, A., Pickl, W. F. Naturally occurring regulatory T cells: markers, mechanisms, and manipulation. FASEB J. 26, 2253‐2276 (2012). www.fasebj.org