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Regulatory T cells exert checks and balances on self tolerance and autoimmunity

Nature Immunology volume 11, pages 7–13 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Immunological self tolerance is maintained at least in part by regulatory T (Treg) cells that actively and dominantly control potentially hazardous self-reactive T cells in the periphery. Antigens that stimulate self-reactive T cells may also activate natural Treg cells, thereby maintaining dominant self tolerance. Conversely, genetic anomalies or environmental agents that specifically or predominantly affect Treg cells cause or predispose to autoimmunity. With recent advances in our understanding of Treg cell development in the thymus and periphery and the molecular mechanism of Treg cell–mediated suppression, new ways of treating immunological diseases by targeting Treg cells at the cellular and molecular levels are envisaged.

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Figure 1: Treg cell–mediated control of DC function.

Marina Corral

Figure 2: CTLA-4 may be a core mechanism through which Treg cells control APC function.

Marina Corral

Figure 3

Marina Corral

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Acknowledgements

Supported by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and Ministry of Human Welfare of Japan and (K.W.) King Gustav V's 80-Year Foundation and the Swedish Society of Medical Research.

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  1. Kajsa Wing

    Present address: Present address: Division of Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,

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  1. Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Kajsa Wing & Shimon Sakaguchi

  2. World Premier Institute (WPI) Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan

    Shimon Sakaguchi

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Wing, K., Sakaguchi, S. Regulatory T cells exert checks and balances on self tolerance and autoimmunity. Nat Immunol 11, 7–13 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.1818

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