title: CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells: a therapeutic target for liver diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to play an important role in maintaining peripheral immune homeostasis by suppressing autoreactive and allergen-specific T cells and turning off the immune response after the pathogen has been cleared. However, in certain situations Tregs can impair effective immunity to some pathogens and tumour cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the role of Tregs in liver pathology and to assess the potential to enhance or inhibit their function as applied to the treatment of liver disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature was reviewed using standard indexing terms and incorporating publications up to and including those published in 2007.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tregs are therapeutic targets for modulation in autoimmune disease and may provide new opportunities for application to human liver conditions.
authors.affiliation: First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Department of Infection and Liver Diseases, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Dian-Na
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braddock
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Leishman
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Jin-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Yue-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Yong-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit