Regulatory T cell

The regulatory T cells (Tregs pronunciation: /ˈtiːrɛɡ/), formerly known as suppressor T cells, are a subpopulation of T cells which modulate the immune system, maintain tolerance to self-antigens, and abrogate autoimmune disease. Tregs are immunosuppressive, and generally suppress or down-regulate induction and proliferation of effector T cells. Tregs express the biomarkers CD4, Foxp3, and CD25 and are thought to be derived from the same lineage as naïve CD4 cells. Because effector T cells also express CD4 and CD25, Tregs are very difficult to effectively discern from effector CD4+, making them difficult to study. Recent research has found that the cytokine TGFβ is essential for Tregs to differentiate from naive CD4+ cells and is important in maintaining Treg homeostasis.