Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) Tregs (nTregs) are highly proliferative in blood. However, the kinetics of their accumulation and proliferation during a localized antigen-specific T cell response is currently unknown. To explore this, we used a human experimental system whereby tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) was injected into the skin and the local T cell response analy...

T regulatory (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor FoxP3 play a key role in protection against autoimmune disease. GFP-FoxP3 reporter mice have been used widely to study the induction, function and stability of both thymically- and peripherally-induced Treg cells. The N-terminal modification of FoxP3, however, affects its interaction with transcriptional co-factors; this can alter Tr...

Recent studies have suggested that statins, the inhibitors for 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. However, the immune modulatory effects of statins on the differentiation of CD4(+) T cells and their underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. To address these issues, we examined the effect of simvastatin and inhibitor...

Current evidence indicates that the abnormal expression of chemokines or their receptors, such as CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), is positively correlated with the development, progression and metastasis of tumor cells. However, the role of CXCR4 in neuroblastoma and its response to chemotherapy remain largely unclear. In addition, forkhead box 3 (Foxp3), a transcription factor associated wit...

CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells suppress T cell activation and regulate multiple immune reactions in in vitro and in vivo studies. To define the regulatory function of human CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells at various stages of maturity, we investigated in detail the functional differences of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells from thymocytes, cord blood (CB), and adult peripheral blood (APB). CB CD25(+)CD4(+) T cell...

Background: Regulatory T cells (T-regs) have an important role in cancer by suppression of protective antitumor immune responses. Regulatory T cells express the forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (FOXP3) and OX40 molecules which have important regulatory roles in the immune system. Objective: To evaluate FOXP3 and OX40 transcripts in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with ...

Gut commensal microbes affect the mucosal immune system via expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) in colon. This is mediated short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), bacterial metabolites generated during fiber fermentation. SCFA are also produced by skin bacteria and may activate resident Treg, activity which diminished certain inflammatory dermatoses. Only upon binding to G-protein coupled receptors,...

The ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) participates in the differentiation of FoxP3(+) T(reg), Tr1 cells, and IL-17-producing T cells (Th17). Most of our understanding on the role of AHR on the FoxP3(+) T(reg) compartment results from studies using the toxic synthetic chemical 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Thus, the physiological relevance of AHR signal...

In many animal models, the manifestations of inflammatory diseases can be prevented by the adoptive transfer of CD4(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). CD4(+)FOXP3(+) Tregs can be obtained by isolation and expansion of polyclonal naturally occurring Tregs or by Ag-specific activation of CD4(+)CD25(-)FOXP3(-) T cells. Two major obstacles are hampering the translation of this latter protocol i...