title: CD8 T-cell regulation by T regulatory cells and the programmed cell death protein 1 pathway.
abstract: The primary function of the immune system is to protect the host from infectious microorganisms and cancers. However, a major component of the immune response involves the direct elimination of cells in the body and the induction of systemic inflammation, which may result in life-threatening immunopathology. Therefore, the immune system has developed complex mechanisms to regulate itself with a specialized subset of CD4 T lymphocytes (referred to as regulatory T cells) and immune checkpoint pathways, such as the programmed cell death protein 1 pathway. These immune regulatory mechanisms can be exploited by pathogens and tumours to establish persistence in the host, warranting a deeper understanding of how to fine-tune immune responses during these chronic diseases. Here, I discuss various features of immune regulatory pathways and what important aspects must be considered in the next generation of therapies to reverse immune exhaustion, understanding that this process is a natural mechanism to prevent the host from destroying itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9986-4906
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Penaloza-MacMaster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
keywords: immune checkpoints; immune exhaustion; immune memory; lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; regulatory T cells