The regulation of immune tolerance by FOXP3

Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) is a crucial regulator of regulatory T (Treg) cell gene expression that is responsible for much of the suppressive potential displayed by these cells.The regulation of FOXP3 expression in Treg cells occurs through the concerted action of transcription factors and extensive epigenetic control mechanisms; furthermore, post-translational modifications are also capable of modulating FOXP3 function.These several layers of FOXP3 control are responsive to positive and negative regulation by factors in the tissue environment, including cytokines, inflammatory mediators and metabolic factors.Modulating FOXP3 expression and Treg cell function by targeting newly discovered regulatory nodes may lead to the development of new immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.