title: In vitro and in vivo analyses of regulatory T cell suppression of CD8+ T cells.
abstract: The study of regulatory T cells (Treg) requires methods for both in vivo and in vitro analyses, both of which have different limitations, but which complement each other to give a more complete picture of physiological function than either method alone. Our analyses have focused on Treg-mediated suppression of CD8(+) T cells, and in particular Tregs induced by viral infection. One of the unique characteristics of virus-induced Tregs is that they can suppress CD8(+) T cell function in vitro without the requirement for additional stimulation. This ability correlates with their suppressive capacity and activated status in vivo. Interestingly, while virus-induced Tregs suppress CD8(+) T cell function in vitro and in vivo, they do not suppress proliferation unless they are further activated in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA. khasenkrug@nih.gov
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hasenkrug
authors.forename: Lara M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005622:Friend murine leukemia virus; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*