title: CD8+ regulatory T cells-A distinct T-cell lineage or a transient T-cell phenotype?
abstract: Regulation of the immune system is fundamental for proper immune function and homeostasis. In the periphery, regulatory T cells provide self-tolerance and protect the host from harmful autoreactive T cells. Regulatory T cells are also involved in the pathogenesis of chronic viral infectious diseases and cancer. Both the CD4(+) and the CD8(+) T cell compartments contain regulatory T cells. Although various CD4(+) regulatory T-cell subsets represent the best characterized regulatory T-cell populations, CD8(+) regulatory T cells also have strong immunosuppressive properties and are involved in the pathogenesis of various clinical conditions. In this review, we will discuss the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD8(+) regulatory T cells in comparison to CD4(+) regulatory T cells.
authors.affiliation: The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, N-0317 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Einar Martin
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Aandahl
authors.forename: Knut Martin
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Torgersen
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taskén
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D017634:Self Tolerance; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*