Expanding role of T-cell costimulators in regulatory T-cell function: recent advances in accessory molecules expressed on both regulatory and nonregulatory T cells

Crit Rev Immunol. 2004;24(4):251-66. doi: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.v24.i4.30.

Abstract

A subpopulation of T cells harbors a suppressor phenotype and can significantly dampen autoreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. These regulatory T (Treg) cells, which can arise naturally in the thymus and encompass a CD25+CD4+ T-cell repertoire or be antigenically induced, are central players in the maintenance of self-tolerance. A plethora of O-cell costimulatory and accessory receptor molecules expressed by Treg and/or non-regulatory T cells, such as GITR, OX40, and CTLA-4, are involved in modulating the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection, and tumor immunity, as well as the control of infections. Exciting new evidence shows that O-cell costimulators, some of which are identified as hopeful discriminative Treg-cell markers, appear to mediate Treg-cell homeostasis and function. Understanding the biological significance of the O-cell costimulatory molecules and the accessory molecules expressed by Treg cells is a prerequisite to better characterizing this regulatory T-cell population. We provide a synopsis of the current understanding of several costimulatory molecules that can orchestrate the function of both naturally arising and antigen-inducible Treg cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology
  • Integrins / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein
  • Mice
  • Models, Immunological
  • Neuropilin-1 / immunology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / immunology
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD28 Antigens
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Integrins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • integrin alphaEbeta7
  • Neuropilin-1
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1
  • Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein