The role of mucosal T lymphocytes in regulating intestinal inflammation.
Suppression of chronic intestinal inflammation by different subtypes of T cells has been described in recent years. In particular, naturally arising CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and IL-10-producing regulatory T cell type 1 CD4(+) T lymphocytes have been implicated in the regulation of intestinal inflammation. Here we focus on the ability of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells to suppress innate and T-cell responses and discuss implications for immunoregulation in human inflammatory bowel disease. Besides the modulation of lymphoproliferation, a role for CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in down-modulation of innate immune responses is emerging and the immunoregulatory activities of regulatory T cells in vivo may be mediated via effects on dendritic cells. Considering the extraordinary regenerative potential of the intestinal mucosa, the ability to impede pathogenic T-cell responses by active regulation might be of particular therapeutic benefit for the treatment of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Uhlig
Holm H
HH
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University Children's Hospital, University of Leipzig, Oststrasse 21-25, 04317, Leipzig, Germany. holm.uhlig@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Powrie
Fiona
F
D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines