Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells safeguard against autoimmunity and overshooting inflammation. During their development in the thymus, Treg cells are selected by stronger autoantigenic T cell receptor (TCR) signals than conventional T cells. These TCR signals are critically important for the initiation of two key lineage defining events, namely induction of the transcription factor Foxp3 and hypomethylation of a specific gene set. Recent studies shed light on the role of continuous (autoreactive) TCR signals for identity, homeostasis and functions of mature Treg cells.
Highlights
Regulatory T (Treg) cells safeguard against autoimmunity and overshooting inflammation
The Treg cell surface phenotype and their signature gene expression were strongly affected by the various means of inhibiting T cell receptor (TCR) signals [1,2,3, 6]
Induced TCR ablation showed that, at least under homeostatic conditions in healthy mice, effectorlike Treg cells strictly depend on TCR signals for their generation and/or maintenance
Summary
Regulatory T (Treg) cells safeguard against autoimmunity and overshooting inflammation. Induced TCR ablation on mature Treg cells only minimally reduces Foxp3 expression [1, 2] and does not affect hypomethylation patterns [1]. Mature Treg cells, expressing a TCR but deprived of peripheral autoantigenic stimulation due to lack of MHC II on hematopoietic cells, still express Foxp3
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