T-cell regulatory

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress activation of the immune system and thus control the tolerance of the immune system. Thus Tregs play an important role in a healthy organism in the prevention of autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus), allergies (see below allergy), asthma and transplant rejection. The role of regulatory B cells (Breg) is also important for the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Today, 2 main groups of CD4+Tregs are distinguished:

• naturally occurring Tregs arising in the thymus: CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+/n-Tregs
• induced Tregs: Tr1 cells (produce mainly IL-10), TH3 cells (produce mainly TGF-beta).

Today, 2 main groups of CD8+Tregs are distinguished:

• TC1 cells (produce interferon-gamma)
• TC2 cells (produce IL-4).

CD4+/CD+25/FOXp3+ natural regulatory T cells are defined as a subgroup of regulatory T cells (Treg).

Treg-initiated suppression is predominantly achieved via cell-cell contacts (CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+/nTreg).

Characteristic for CD4+/CD25+/nTregs is the expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 (see below forkhead box protein 3) within the cell (intracellular).

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