Regulatory T cells and inhibitory cytokines in autoimmunity

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs ) contribute significantly to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, but they ultimately fail in autoimmune diseases. The events that lead to Treg failure in controlling autoreactive effector T cells (Teffs ) during autoimmunity are not completely understood. In th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in immunology 2009-12, Vol.21 (6), p.612-618
Main Authors: Bettini, Maria, Vignali, Dario AA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Autoimmunity
Cytokines - immunology
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - immunology
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis - immunology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - cytology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology
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Summary:Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs ) contribute significantly to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, but they ultimately fail in autoimmune diseases. The events that lead to Treg failure in controlling autoreactive effector T cells (Teffs ) during autoimmunity are not completely understood. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms for this subversion as they relate to type 1 diabetes (T1D) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies emphasize firstly, the role of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, in inhibiting or subverting Treg function; secondly, the issue of Treg plasticity; thirdly, the possible resistance of autoimmune T cells to Treg -mediated control; and fourthly, Treg -associated inhibitory cytokines TGFβ, IL-10 and IL-35 in facilitating Treg suppressive activity and promoting Treg generation. These recent advances place a large emphasis on the local tissue specific inflammatory environment as it relates to Treg function and disease development.
ISSN:0952-7915
1879-0372
DOI:10.1016/j.coi.2009.09.011