tTregs, pTregs, and iTregs: similarities and differences

Foxp3(+) T-regulatory cells (Tregs) are primarily generated in the thymus (tTreg), but also may be generated extrathymically at peripheral sites (pTreg), or induced in cell culture (iTreg) in the presence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta). A major unresolved issue is how these different populations of Tregs exert their suppressive function in vivo. We have developed novel systems in which the function of Tregs can be evaluated in vivo in normal mice. Our studies demonstrate that one prominent mechanism of action of polyclonal tTregs is to inhibit T-effector cell trafficking to the target organ, while antigen-specific iTregs primarily prevent T-cell priming by acting on antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays an important role in the suppressive function of antigen-specific iTregs by controlling the expression of MARCH1 and CD83 on the DC. Activated tTregs may mediate infectious tolerance by delivery of cell surface-expressed TGF beta to naive responder T cells to generate pTregs. Manipulation of Treg function will require the ability to differentiate tTregs from pTregs and iTregs. The expression of the transcription factor Helios has proven to be a useful marker for the identification of stable tTregs in both mouse and human.