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This is a Experimental Study study.

February 13, 2003Science8,169 citations

Control of Regulatory T Cell Development by the Transcription Factor Foxp3

SHShohei Hori TNTakashi Nomura SSShimon Sakaguchi

Key Points

Foxp3 is essential for the development of regulatory T cells, which maintain self-tolerance in the immune system.
Retroviral gene transfer of foxp3 transforms naïve T cells into a regulatory phenotype similar to natural CD4+ T cells.
The study identifies foxp3 as a critical transcription factor impacted in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
Understanding foxp3's role may lead to new strategies for the treatment of autoimmune syndromes linked to T cell dysfunction.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells engage in the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance by actively suppressing self-reactive lymphocytes. Little is known, however, about the molecular mechanism of their development. Here we show that Foxp3, which encodes a transcription factor that is genetically defective in an autoimmune and inflammatory syndrome in humans and mice, is specifically expressed in naturally arising CD4+ regulatory T cells. Furthermore, retroviral gene transfer of Foxp3 converts naïve T cells toward a regulatory T cell phenotype similar to that of naturally occurring CD4+ regulatory T cells. Thus, Foxp3 is a key regulatory gene for the development of regulatory T cells.

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