Research progress in heterogeneity of human CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cells.
- Author:
Jin-Ge XU
1
;
Ling-Song CHEN
Author Information
1. Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Xuzhou Mining Group, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Forkhead Transcription Factors;
immunology;
Humans;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory;
immunology
- From:
Journal of Experimental Hematology
2011;19(6):1528-1531
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
It is now established that CD4(+)CD25(+)regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing transcription factor FOXP3, a regulatory subpopulation of T cells, is indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. FOXP3 expression in Treg cells is specific and it is the key control factor for the development, activation and function of Treg cells. At present, CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T lymphocytes are often used to define Treg cells for scientific research. But recent studies show that human CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cells are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous, including suppressive and non suppressive T cells. The different functions of these cell subsets can be distinguished by phenotypic differences. This review discusses the recent research progress about phenotypic characteristics and functional heterogeneity of CD4(+)FOXP3(+)T cell subsets.
