Naturally arising Foxp3-expressing CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells in immunological tolerance to self and non-self.

Abstract

Naturally arising CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells actively maintain immunological self-tolerance. Deficiency in or dysfunction of these cells can be a cause of autoimmune disease. A reduction in their number or function can also elicit tumor immunity, whereas their antigen-specific population expansion can establish transplantation tolerance. They are therefore a good target for designing ways to induce or abrogate immunological tolerance to self and non-self antigens.