title: The development and function of regulatory T cells.
abstract: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a critical subset of T cells that mediate peripheral tolerance. There are two types of Tregs: natural Tregs, which develop in the thymus, and induced Tregs, which are derived from naive CD4(+) T cells in the periphery. Tregs utilize a variety of mechanisms to suppress the immune response. While Tregs are critical for the peripheral maintenance of potential autoreactive T cells, they can also be detrimental by preventing effective anti-tumor responses and sterilizing immunity against pathogens. In this review, we will discuss the development of natural and induced Tregs as well as the role of Tregs in a variety of disease settings and the mechanisms they utilize for suppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.
authors.forename: Creg J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Workman
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Szymczak-Workman
authors.forename: Lauren W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Collison
authors.forename: Meenu R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Dario A A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Vignali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell