Regulatory T cells exert checks and balances on self tolerance and autoimmunity

K Wing, S Sakaguchi - Nature immunology, 2010 - nature.com
Nature immunology, 2010nature.com
Immunological self tolerance is maintained at least in part by regulatory T (Treg) cells that
actively and dominantly control potentially hazardous self-reactive T cells in the periphery.
Antigens that stimulate self-reactive T cells may also activate natural Treg cells, thereby
maintaining dominant self tolerance. Conversely, genetic anomalies or environmental
agents that specifically or predominantly affect Treg cells cause or predispose to
autoimmunity. With recent advances in our understanding of Treg cell development in the …
Abstract
Immunological self tolerance is maintained at least in part by regulatory T (Treg) cells that actively and dominantly control potentially hazardous self-reactive T cells in the periphery. Antigens that stimulate self-reactive T cells may also activate natural Treg cells, thereby maintaining dominant self tolerance. Conversely, genetic anomalies or environmental agents that specifically or predominantly affect Treg cells cause or predispose to autoimmunity. With recent advances in our understanding of Treg cell development in the thymus and periphery and the molecular mechanism of Treg cell–mediated suppression, new ways of treating immunological diseases by targeting Treg cells at the cellular and molecular levels are envisaged.
nature.com