Induced peripheral regulatory T cells: the family grows larger.
In order to control immune reactions and to prevent autoimmunity, the immune system relies on a multitude of regulatory T cells (Treg). Most work in this field has focussed on Treg of the CD4(+) T cell subset because of the central role CD4(+) T cells play as initiators and regulators of immune responses. One discovery of particular importance was the identification of naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg that arise in the thymus and express the transcription factor Foxp3; however, Treg can also be induced in the periphery after immune activation. A paper in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology identifies a novel type of induced murine CD8(+) Treg that arise in TCR HY transgenic female mice after injection of MHC class I tetramers loaded with HY peptide. These Treg prevent subsequent rejection of male skin grafts suggesting that their manipulation may represent a new way of improving graft rejections against minor histocompatibility barriers.
Höglund
Petter
P
Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. petter.hoglund@mtc.ki.se
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell