Do Regulatory T Cells Play a Role in the Control of Homeostatic Proliferation?

Abstract

The control of peripheral lymphocyte numbers is a fundamental aspect of the immune system. Regulatory T cells are involved in the suppression of autoimmune, antitumor, allergic, and other inflammatory responses, as well as in facilitating graft acceptance. In this paper, we discuss whether the control of homeostatic proliferation is another facet of the immune system that is controlled by regulatory T cells. A review of the published data connecting regulatory T cells with the control of homeostatic proliferation indicates that several key questions remain open. One of these relates to the stage at which regulatory T cells could play a role (i.e., T-cell proliferation vs. survival).

Keywords:

• regulatory T cells
• CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells
• IL-7, TGF-beta
• T cell homeostasis
• autoimmunity