VEGFR2 is selectively expressed by FOXP3high CD4+ Treg.
CD25+ FOXP3+CD4+ T cells (Treg) have been considered to play an important role in immune tolerance against several tumor antigens. It has also been indicated that high-level expression of FOXP3 (FOXP3high) is sufficient to confer suppressive activity to normal non-Treg. Here, we showed for the first time that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is selectively expressed by FOXP3high but not FOXP3low Treg. Such VEGFR2+ Treg exist in several tissues including PBMC and malignant effusion-derived lymphocytes. In conclusion, VEGFR2 may be a novel target for controlling Treg with highly suppressive function.
Suzuki
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Cancer Therapy and Research, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Onishi
Hideya
H
Wada
Junji
J
Yamasaki
Akio
A
Tanaka
Haruo
H
Nakano
Kenji
K
Morisaki
Takashi
T
Katano
Mitsuo
M
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000276:immunology*
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2