Mechanisms of impaired regulation by CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells in human autoimmune diseases.
A lack of regulatory T (T(Reg)) cells that express CD4, CD25 and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) results in severe autoimmunity in both mice and humans. Since the discovery of T(Reg) cells, there has been intense investigation aimed at determining how they protect an organism from autoimmunity and whether defects in their number or function contribute to the development of autoimmunity in model systems. The next phase of investigation - that is, to define the role that defects in T(Reg) cells have in human autoimmunity - is now underway. This Review summarizes our progress so far towards understanding the role of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T(Reg) cells in human autoimmune diseases and the impact that this knowledge might have on the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, 1201 9th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA. jbuckner@benaroyaresearch.org
Jane Hoyt
JH
Buckner
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit