What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the limitations of relying on FOXP3 and surface phenotypes to define human regulatory T cells and propose integrating phenotypic markers with functional suppression assays.

May 30, 2024CellsOpen Access

Defining Human Regulatory T Cells beyond FOXP3: The Need to Combine Phenotype with Function

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Authors

CGChelsea GootjesImmune Regulation (United Kingdom)JZJaap Jan ZwagingaSanquin BRBart O. RoepImmune Regulation (United Kingdom)

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Implication

Review reveals phenotypic heterogeneity in human regulatory T cells, suggesting functional suppression assays are essential to distinguish them from inflammatory effectors.

Key Points

To evaluate the limitations of relying on FOXP3 and surface phenotypes to define human regulatory T cells and propose integrating phenotypic markers with functional suppression assays.
Literature synthesis examining phenotypic markers, tissue compartmentalization, and pathological contexts of human regulatory T cells.
Evaluation of candidate biomarkers, including FOXP3, CD25, CD127, GITR, LAG-3, GARP, GPA33, Helios, and Neuropilin, against suppressive immune function.
FOXP3 expression does not uniquely specify regulatory T cells, as activated human effector T cells transiently express FOXP3, whereas some suppressive subsets such as Tr1 cells do not.
Candidate regulatory surface markers including GITR, LAG-3, GARP, and Helios fail to exclusively define suppressive populations across diverse human phenotypes.
The functional capacity to inhibit immune responses remains the sole definitive criterion distinguishing regulatory T cells from inflammatory effector T cells.

Cite This Study

Gootjes et al. (2024) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0982bb00217ed3fb33f884 https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110941

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Implication

Review reveals phenotypic heterogeneity in human regulatory T cells, suggesting functional suppression assays are essential to distinguish them from inflammatory effectors.

Defining Human Regulatory T Cells beyond FOXP3: The Need to Combine Phenotype with Function

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Defining Human Regulatory T Cells beyond FOXP3: The Need to Combine Phenotype with Function

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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