title: Regulation of self-tolerance by Qa-1-restricted CD8(+) regulatory T cells.
abstract: Mounting an efficient immune response to pathogens while avoiding damage to host tissues is the central task of the immune system. Emerging evidence has highlighted the contribution of the CD8(+) lineage of regulatory T cells to the maintenance of self-tolerance. Specific recognition of the MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1 complexed to peptides expressed by activated CD4(+) T cells by regulatory CD8(+) T cells triggers an inhibitory interaction that prevents autoimmune responses. Conversely, defective Qa-1-restricted CD8(+) regulatory activity can result in development of systemic autoimmune disease. Here, we review recent research into the cellular and molecular basis of these regulatory T cells, their mechanism of suppressive activity and the potential application of these insights into new treatments for autoimmune disease and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Immunology & AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Hye-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cantor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D017634:Self Tolerance
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C032907:Q surface antigens