title: Context and location dependence of adaptive Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell formation during immunopathological conditions.
abstract: Circulating Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) may arise in the thymus (natural Treg, nTreg) or through the adaptive upregulation of Foxp3 after T cell activation (induced Treg, iTreg). In this brief review, we explore evidence for the formation and function of iTreg during pathologic conditions. Determining the ontogeny and function of Treg populations has relied on the use of manipulated systems in which either iTreg or nTreg are absent, or lineage tracing of T cell clones through repertoire analyses. iTreg appear particularly important at mucosal interfaces. iTreg can also ameliorate tissue-specific autoimmunity and are a prominent source of tumor-infiltrating Treg in some models. However, under many conditions, including in CNS autoimmunity, diabetes, and some tumor systems, iTreg formation appears limited. The immunological contribution of iTreg is thus highly context dependent. Deciphering immune parameters responsible for iTreg formation and their role in modulating pathologic immune responses will be important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Heiber
authors.forename: Terrence L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Geiger
mesh_terms: D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors