Regulatory T cell

The regulatory T cells (Tregs /ˈtiːrɛɡ/ or T_reg cells), formerly known as suppressor T cells, are a subpopulation of T cells that modulate the immune system, maintain tolerance to self-antigens, and prevent autoimmune disease. T_reg cells are immunosuppressive and generally suppress or downregulate induction and proliferation of effector T cells.^[1] T_reg cells express the biomarkers CD4, FOXP3, and CD25 and are thought to be derived from the same lineage as naïve CD4⁺ cells.^[2] Because effector T cells also express CD4 and CD25, T_reg cells are very difficult to effectively discern from effector CD4⁺, making them difficult to study. Research has found that the cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is essential for T_reg cells to differentiate from naïve CD4⁺ cells and is important in maintaining T_reg cell homeostasis.^[3]

Mouse models have suggested that modulation of T_reg cells can treat autoimmune disease and cancer and can facilitate organ transplantation^[4] and wound healing.^[5] Their implications for cancer are complicated. T_reg cells tend to be upregulated in individuals with cancer, and they seem to be recruited to the site of many tumors. Studies in both humans and animal models have implicated that high numbers of T_reg cells in the tumor microenvironment is indicative of a poor prognosis, and T_reg cells are thought to suppress tumor immunity, thus hindering the body's innate ability to control the growth of cancerous cells.^[6] Immunotherapy research is studying how regulation of T cells could possibly be utilized in the treatment of cancer.^[7]