Induced Foxp3 + regulatory T cells: A potential new weapon to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases?

Qin Lan, Huimin Fan, Valerie Quesniaux, Bernhard Ryffel, Zhongmin Liu, Song Guo Zheng

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

Foxp3 + T regulatory cells (Tregs) consisting of natural and induced Treg subsets play a crucial role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis against self-antigen. The actions designed to correct defects in numbers or functions of Tregs may be therapeutic in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. While recent studies demonstrated that natural Tregs are instable and dysfunctional in the inflammatory condition, induced Tregs (iTregs) may have a different feature. Here we review the progress of iTregs, particularly focus on their stability and function in the established autoimmune diseases. The advantage of iTregs as therapeutics used under inflammatory conditions is highlighted. Proper generation and manipulation of iTregs used for cellular therapy may provide a promise for the treatment of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-28
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Molecular Cell Biology
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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