Regulatory T cells function in established systemic inflammation and reverse fatal autoimmunity Journal Article


Authors: Hu, W.; Wang, Z. M.; Feng, Y.; Schizas, M.; Hoyos, B. E.; van der Veeken, J.; Verter, J. G.; Bou-Puerto, R.; Rudensky, A. Y.
Article Title: Regulatory T cells function in established systemic inflammation and reverse fatal autoimmunity
Abstract: The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells is dependent on continuous expression of the transcription factor Foxp3. Foxp3 loss of function or induced ablation of Treg cells results in a fatal autoimmune disease featuring all known types of inflammatory responses with every manifestation stemming from Treg cell paucity, highlighting a vital function of Treg cells in preventing fatal autoimmune inflammation. However, a major question remains whether Treg cells can persist and effectively exert their function in a disease state, where a broad spectrum of inflammatory mediators can either inactivate Treg cells or render innate and adaptive pro-inflammatory effector cells insensitive to suppression. By reinstating Foxp3 protein expression and suppressor function in cells expressing a reversible Foxp3 null allele in severely diseased mice, we found that the resulting single pool of rescued Treg cells normalized immune activation, quelled severe tissue inflammation, reversed fatal autoimmune disease and provided long-term protection against them. Thus, Treg cells are functional in settings of established broad-spectrum systemic inflammation and are capable of affording sustained reset of immune homeostasis. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.
Journal Title: Nature Immunology
Volume: 22
Issue: 9
ISSN: 1529-2908
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2021-09-01
Start Page: 1163
End Page: 1174
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01001-4
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 34426690
PMCID: PMC9341271
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 October 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Beatrice E Hoyos
    23 Hoyos
  2. Alexander Rudensky
    156 Rudensky
  3. Yongqiang Feng
    9 Feng
  4. Michail Schizas
    27 Schizas
  5. Wei   Hu
    7 Hu
  6. Zhongmin Wang
    12 Wang
  7. Jacob G Verter
    4 Verter