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FOXP3: Of Mice and Men

FOXP3: Of Mice and Men Abstract The immune system has evolved mechanisms to recognize and eliminate threats, as well as to protect against self-destruction. Tolerance to self-antigens is generated through two fundamental mechanisms: ( a ) elimination of self-reactive cells in the thymus during selection and ( b ) generation of a variety of peripheral regulatory cells to control self-reactive cells that escape the thymus. It is becoming increasing apparent that a population of thymically derived CD4 + regulatory T cells, exemplified by the expression of the IL-2Rα chain, is essential for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Recent work has shown that the forkhead family transcription factor Foxp3 is critically important for the development and function of the regulatory T cells. Lack of Foxp3 leads to development of fatal autoimmune lymphoproliferative disease; furthermore, ectopic Foxp3 expression can phenotypically convert effector T cells to regulatory T cells. This review focuses on Foxp3 expression and function and highlights differences between humans and mice regarding Foxp3 regulation. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Immunology Annual Reviews

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References (94)

Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
ISSN
0732-0582
eISSN
1545-3278
DOI
10.1146/annurev.immunol.24.021605.090547
pmid
16551248
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract The immune system has evolved mechanisms to recognize and eliminate threats, as well as to protect against self-destruction. Tolerance to self-antigens is generated through two fundamental mechanisms: ( a ) elimination of self-reactive cells in the thymus during selection and ( b ) generation of a variety of peripheral regulatory cells to control self-reactive cells that escape the thymus. It is becoming increasing apparent that a population of thymically derived CD4 + regulatory T cells, exemplified by the expression of the IL-2Rα chain, is essential for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Recent work has shown that the forkhead family transcription factor Foxp3 is critically important for the development and function of the regulatory T cells. Lack of Foxp3 leads to development of fatal autoimmune lymphoproliferative disease; furthermore, ectopic Foxp3 expression can phenotypically convert effector T cells to regulatory T cells. This review focuses on Foxp3 expression and function and highlights differences between humans and mice regarding Foxp3 regulation.

Journal

Annual Review of ImmunologyAnnual Reviews

Published: Apr 23, 2006

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