Cd4+Cd25+ regulatory T cells and their therapeutic potential.
The human immune system mounts specific responses to a vast array of antigens. Although this is clearly beneficial in fighting off harmful infections and cancerous cells, the system must be carefully controlled to ensure that normal self-antigens are not targeted. A recently characterized subset of T cells, identified by their cell surface expression of CD4 and CD25, is critical in regulating the function of other immune cells and preventing potentially harmful autoimmune responses. This article reviews what is currently known about these so-called regulatory T cells and discusses the therapeutic potential of these cells to modulate human immune-based diseases.
Randolph
David A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA. drdrdr@stanford.edu
Fathman
C Garrison
CG
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D037182:T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / Q000502:physiology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000502:physiology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2