Natural FOXP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) actively suppress pathological and physiological immune responses, contributing to the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis.
Various molecular and cellular events have been described to explain the mechanism(s) of Treg-mediated suppression.
However, none of the proposed mechanisms can explain all aspects of suppression.
It is probable that various combinations of several mechanisms are operating, depending on the milieu and the type of immune responses, although there might be a single key mechanism that has a predominant role.
Pa5thology
Breast carcinomas: regulatory T cells may play a role in inducing immune tolerance to higher grade, more aggressive breast carcinomas, and are a potential therapeutic target for these cancers. PMID: 18820666
Reviews
Miyara M, Sakaguchi S. Natural regulatory T cells: mechanisms of suppression. Trends Mol Med. 2007 Jan 23; PMID: 17257897
References
Related Articles, LinksBohling SD, Allison KH. Immunosuppressive regulatory T cells are associated with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes: a potential therapeutic target. Mod Pathol. 2008 Sep 26. PMID: 18820666