title: [Research progress in heterogeneity of human CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cells].
abstract: It is now established that CD4(+)CD25(+)regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing transcription factor FOXP3, a regulatory subpopulation of T cells, is indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. FOXP3 expression in Treg cells is specific and it is the key control factor for the development, activation and function of Treg cells. At present, CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T lymphocytes are often used to define Treg cells for scientific research. But recent studies show that human CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cells are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous, including suppressive and non suppressive T cells. The different functions of these cell subsets can be distinguished by phenotypic differences. This review discusses the recent research progress about phenotypic characteristics and functional heterogeneity of CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cell subsets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Xuzhou Mining Group, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Ge
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ling-Song
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors