Role of regulatory T cells in gastrointestinal inflammatory disease

Abstract

Regulatory T cells curb unwanted immune responses and regulate responses to microflora and it is now clear that regulatory T cells play an important role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut. First, regulatory T cells are crucial in controlling immune responses to gastric autoantigens and thus preventing autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. Second, regulatory T cells may modulate the response to Helicobacter pylori, thus affecting the ability of the immune system to clear the pathogen and mediate damage to the gastric mucosa. Finally, regulatory T cells play an important role in preventing damaging inflammatory responses to commensal organisms in the lower gut, thus guarding against inflammatory bowel diseases. In the present review, we examine the actions of regulatory T cells in the gut and conclude that further understanding of regulatory T cell biology may lead to new therapeutic approaches to chronic gastrointestinal disease.

Local Induction of Immunosuppressive CD8+ T Cells in the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues

“…Gut luminal antigens have attracted great attention, and the current paradigm proposes that interactions of such bacteria with the host's epithelial cells and the mucosal immune system eventually results in continuous microbial antigenic stimulation and associated tissue damage [19]. T regs are believed to be crucial in adjusting response thresholds to microbial antigen as well as modulating tissue damaging immune reactions [20]. Limited information is available about the phenotypic and functional characteristics of such regulatory/suppressor T cells in the intestinal mucosa.…”

Increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells in peripheral blood of celiac disease patients: Correlation with dietary treatment

“…This phenomenon of immune tolerance to harmless proteins in intestinal tissues is daily guaranteed by several regulatory T-cell subsets which are important components of the homeostasis of the immune system, as impaired regulatory T-cell activity can cause autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease [3]. Furthermore compelling evidence suggests that T regulatory cells not only prevent autoimmunity or ensure immune tolerance [4] but are also involved in controlling virtually all forms of immune response, including the response against malignant tumors [5]. Foxp3, a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcriptional regulators, is specifically expressed in naturally occurring CD4 ϩ CD25 ϩ regulatory T cells and it is considered a master regulatory gene for the development of regulatory T cells [6].…”

Oral tolerance: Can we make it work?

“…Tregs can curb unwanted immune responses and regulate responses to the microflora [13] and can play a role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut [13]. Tregs can prevent detrimental inflammatory responses against commensal organisms in the lower gut, thus guarding against inflammatory bowel diseases [85].…”