Human CD4+ CD25+ Regulatory T Cells Control T-Cell Responses to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Cytomegalovirus Antigens

EM Aandahl, J Michaëlsson, WJ Moretto… - Journal of …, 2004 - Am Soc Microbiol
EM Aandahl, J Michaëlsson, WJ Moretto, FM Hecht, DF Nixon
Journal of virology, 2004Am Soc Microbiol
Regulatory T (TR) cells maintain tolerance to self-antigens and control immune responses to
alloantigens after organ transplantation. Here, we show that CD4+ CD25+ human TR cells
suppress virus-specific T-cell responses. Depletion of TR cells from peripheral blood
mononuclear cells enhances T-cell responses to cytomegalovirus and human
immunodeficiency virus antigens. We propose that chronic viral infections lead to induction
of suppressive TR cells that inhibit the antiviral immune response.
Abstract
Regulatory T (TR) cells maintain tolerance to self-antigens and control immune responses to alloantigens after organ transplantation. Here, we show that CD4+ CD25+ human TR cells suppress virus-specific T-cell responses. Depletion of TR cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhances T-cell responses to cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus antigens. We propose that chronic viral infections lead to induction of suppressive TR cells that inhibit the antiviral immune response.
American Society for Microbiology