← Explorer/Network

Functional stability of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells

da Silva Martins M, Piccirillo CA2012Trends in Molecular MedicineReview
10.1016/j.molmed.2012.06.001PubMed
Immune/Innate

Abstract

Significant evidence demonstrates that CD4(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg)) expressing the Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) transcription factor are a distinct lineage of CD4(+) T cells that are essential for maintaining self-tolerance and modulating immunity to various nonself-antigens under changing inflammatory settings. Stable Foxp3 expression ensures T(reg) function in a variety of inflammatory contexts. However, the model of T(reg) cells as a stable, long-lived lineage is controversial. Whereas some studies have observed long-lived T(reg) function, recent studies suggest that T(reg) cells adapt to microenvironmental changes and consequently manifest functional plasticity by reprogramming into inflammatory T cells. Here, we review the evidence addressing the functional stability or plasticity of Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells and the implications for immune homeostasis and disease.

References (10)

  • Epigenetic mechanisms of regulation of FoxP3 expressionBlood · 2009
  • Inflammation-driven reprogramming of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells into pathogenic Th1/Th17 T effectors is abrogated by mTOR inhibition in vivoPLoS ONE · 2012
  • Characterization of Interleukin-17–Producing Regulatory T Cells in Inflamed Intestinal Mucosa From Patients With Inflammatory Bowel DiseasesGastroenterology · 2010
  • Plasticity of Foxp3+ T cells reflects promiscuous Foxp3 expression in conventional T cells but not reprogramming of regulatory T cellsImmunity · 2012
  • MHC class II expression identifies functionally distinct human regulatory T cellsThe Journal of Immunology · 2006
  • Foxp3-dependent and –independent molecules specific for CD25+CD4+ natural regulatory T cells revealed by DNA microarray analysisInternational Immunology · 2006
  • Epigenetic control of FOXP3 expression: the key to a stable regulatory T-cell lineage?

Related Papers

  • Pro-resolving and anti-arthritic properties of the MC1 selective agonist PL8177Frontiers in Immunology · 2022 · 1 shared tag
  • Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Formation of Adipokines, Cytokines, and Oxylipins in Retroperitoneal Adipose Tissue of MiceInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2024 · 1 shared tag
  • Fungal immunity and pathogenesis in mammals versus the invertebrate model organismGalleria mellonellaPathogens and Disease · 2021 · 1 shared tag
  • TLR signaling pathway and the effects of main immune cells and epigenetics factors on the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and sterilityHeliyon · 2024 · 1 shared tag
  • CGRP sensory neurons promote tissue healing via neutrophils and macrophagesNature · 2024 · 1 shared tag
  • Invited review: Mechanisms of hypophagia during diseaseJournal of Dairy Science · 2021 · 1 shared tag
Nature reviews. Immunology · 2009
  • Two functional subsets of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in human thymus and peripheryImmunity · 2008
  • DNA methylation controls Foxp3 gene expressionEuropean Journal of Immunology · 2008
  • Developmental plasticity of Foxp3+ regulatory T cellsCurrent Opinion in Immunology · 2010