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Review
. 2009 Dec;21(6):612-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2009.09.011. Epub 2009 Oct 23.

Regulatory T cells and inhibitory cytokines in autoimmunity

Maria Bettini  1 , Dario A A Vignali
Affiliations
Review

Regulatory T cells and inhibitory cytokines in autoimmunity

Maria Bettini et al. Curr Opin Immunol. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (T(regs)) contribute significantly to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, but they ultimately fail in autoimmune diseases. The events that lead to T(reg) failure in controlling autoreactive effector T cells (T(effs)) during autoimmunity are not completely understood. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms for this subversion as they relate to type 1 diabetes (T1D) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies emphasize firstly, the role of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, in inhibiting or subverting T(reg) function; secondly, the issue of T(reg) plasticity; thirdly, the possible resistance of autoimmune T cells to T(reg)-mediated control; and fourthly, T(reg)-associated inhibitory cytokines TGFbeta, IL-10 and IL-35 in facilitating T(reg) suppressive activity and promoting T(reg) generation. These recent advances place a large emphasis on the local tissue specific inflammatory environment as it relates to T(reg) function and disease development.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Redundancy and specificity of Treg inhibitory cytokine function.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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