Pathogen-specific regulatory T cells provoke a shift in the Th1/Th2 paradigm in immunity to infectious diseases.
Current dogma suggests that immunity to infection is controlled by distinct type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) subpopulations of T cells discriminated on the basis of cytokine secretion and function. However, a further subtype of T cells, with immunosuppressive function and cytokine profiles distinct from either Th1 or Th2 T cells, termed regulatory T (Tr) cells has been described. Although considered to have a role in the maintenance of self-tolerance, recent studies suggest that Tr cells can be induced against bacterial, viral and parasite antigens in vivo and might prevent infection-induced immunopathology or prolong pathogen persistence by suppressing protective Th1 responses. These observations have significant implications for our understanding of the role of T cells in immunity to infectious diseases and for the development of new therapies for immune-mediated disorders.
McGuirk
Peter
P
Immune Regulation Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Mills
Kingston H G
KH
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10