title: Natural regulatory T cells in autoimmunity.
abstract: The suppressive/immunomodulatory function of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells is crucial for the maintenance of immune homeostasis, which helps to prevent autoimmunity and reduce the inflammation induced by pathogens and environmental insults. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the types and mechanisms of action of Treg cells and their role in the immune tolerance to self-antigens, with a particular focus on naturally occurring Treg cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1670, USA.
authors.forename: Elaine V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Cava
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007249:Inflammation; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D017634:Self Tolerance; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit