[Transcription factor FOXP3 and reproduction].
Adaptation of the maternal immune response to accommodate the semi-allogeneic fetus is necessary for pregnancy success, and disturbances in maternal tolerance are implicated in miscarriage. FOXP3, a member of the X chromosome-encoded forkhead transcription factor family, is indispensable for the differentiation of regulatory T cells. Regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg) are pivotal to the maintenance of self-tolerance and the control of immune homeostasis. Many studies show that CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg cells are essential for maternal tolerance of the conceptus. Treg cells accumulate in the decidua and are elevated in maternal blood from early in the first trimester. Inadequate expression of FOXP3 is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion, unexplained infertility and recurrent implantation failure. CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg cells offer an attractive target for treatment of auto-immune disease and allograft tolerance and might become a powerful new tool for the treatment of fertility pathologies stemming from disturbances in immune tolerance. This paper reviews the structure, function, expression regulation of FOXP3 and its relation with reproduction.
Xia
Xin-Yi
XY
Department of Reproduction and Genetics, PLA Research Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
Zhou
Xin
X
Huang
Yu-Feng
YF
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors