title: Antigen-specific regulatory T cells--their induction and role in infection.
abstract: In addition to the well-established role of natural CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Tr) cells in the maintenance of tolerance to self-antigens, there is accumulating evidence for distinct populations of Tr cells induced in the periphery after encounter with pathogens and foreign antigens. These antigen-specific T cells, termed Tr1 or Th3 cells, secrete IL-10 and or TGF-beta, but no IL-4 and little or no IFN-gamma, and are induced by semi-mature dendritic cells under the influence of regulatory cytokines, including IL-10, TGF-beta and IL-4. Tr1 or Th3 cells are capable of suppressing Th1 and Th2 responses and function in infection to limit pathogen-induced immunopathology, but can also be exploited in therapies for immune-mediated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Immune Regulation Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. kingston.mills@tcd.ie
authors.forename: Kingston H G
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGuirk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D010271:Parasites / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D037182:T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2