Molecular aspects of regulatory T cell development

Jason D Fontenot; Alexander Y Rudensky

doi:10.1016/j.smim.2003.12.002

Molecular aspects of regulatory T cell development

Semin Immunol. 2004 Apr;16(2):73-80. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2003.12.002.

Authors

Jason D Fontenot¹, Alexander Y Rudensky

Affiliation

¹ Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Box 357370, Health Science Bldg. I604I, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 15036230
DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2003.12.002

Abstract

Naturally arising CD4(+) regulatory T cells are critical mediators of peripheral self tolerance and immune homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that these cells are a dedicated T cell lineage constitutively acting in a dominant, cell extrinsic manner to regulate immune function. These observations are driving a reevaluation of our understanding of the regulation of immune homeostasis and peripheral tolerance. But despite a growing body of phenomenological data, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CD4(+) regulatory T cell development has only recently begun to emerge. This review highlights the major molecular pathways that have been implicated to date in the development of this T cell lineage.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antigens, CD / immunology
Antigens, CD / physiology
Antigens, Differentiation / immunology
Antigens, Differentiation / physiology
B7-1 Antigen / immunology
B7-1 Antigen / physiology
B7-2 Antigen
CD28 Antigens / immunology
CD28 Antigens / physiology
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
CTLA-4 Antigen
Cell Differentiation / immunology*
Cell Differentiation / physiology
DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
Forkhead Transcription Factors
Humans
Interleukin-2 / immunology
Interleukin-2 / physiology
Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology
T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / immunology
T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / physiology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology
T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
T-Lymphocytes / physiology

Substances

Antigens, CD
Antigens, Differentiation
B7-1 Antigen
B7-2 Antigen
CD28 Antigens
CD86 protein, human
CTLA-4 Antigen
CTLA4 protein, human
DNA-Binding Proteins
FOXP3 protein, human
Forkhead Transcription Factors
Interleukin-2
Membrane Glycoproteins
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell