Regulatory T Cells, a Potent Immunoregulatory Target for CAM Researchers: Modulating Allergic and Infectious Disease Pathology (II)

Regulatory T (T(reg)) cells maintain dominant control of immune responses to foreign materials and microbes. Appropriate T(reg) cell suppression of immune responses is essential for the maintenance of efficacious defensive responses and the limitation of collateral tissue damage due to excess inflammation. Allergy and infection are well studied and frequent afflictions in which T(reg) cells play an essential role. As such, they provide excellent models to communicate the significance and relevance of T(reg) cells to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).