title: Regulatory T cells in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Inflammation is essential in the initial development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases involving innate and adaptive immune responses. The role of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T (TREG) cells in the modulation of inflammation and immunity has received increasing attention. Given the important role of TREG cells in the induction and maintenance of immune homeostasis and tolerance, dysregulation in the generation or function of TREG cells can trigger abnormal immune responses and lead to pathology. A wealth of evidence from experimental and clinical studies has indicated that TREG cells might have an important role in protecting against cardiovascular disease, in particular atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. In this Review, we provide an overview of the roles of TREG cells in the pathogenesis of a number of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischaemic stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, Kawasaki disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction and remodelling, postischaemic neovascularization, myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of TREG cells are still to be elucidated, targeted therapies with TREG cells might provide a promising and novel future approach to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Mucosal Immunology Section, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jingwu Weiqi Road, Jinan 250021, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Mucosal Immunology Section, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Wanjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators