Control of immune response by regulatory T cells

Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+)Fox p3(+) T cells and different subsets of induced suppressor T cells are key players of the immune tolerance network which avoid the induction of nonessential and self-destructive immune responses. Regulatory T cells suppress the induction of autoimmunity, prevent pathologic T cell reactivity against allergens but also the induction of effective immune responses against cancer cells. Due to their central position in controlling of immune responses, functional characterization regulatory T cells is a main focus of immunological research with the aim to understand the complex interaction of effector and regulatory T cell subsets to develop new immunotherapeutic strategies by specific manipulation of regulatory T cell activity in patients.