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Regulatory T Cells in SLE: Biology and Use in Treatment

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (G Tsokos, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

T regulatory cells (Tregs) represent a phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous group of lymphocytes that exert immunosuppressive activities on effector immune responses. Tregs play a key role in maintaining immune tolerance and homeostasis through diverse mechanisms which involve interactions with components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. As in many autoimmune diseases, Tregs have been proposed to play a relevant role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive breakdown of tolerance to self-antigens and the presence of concomitant hyperactive immune responses. Here, we review how Tregs dysfunction in SLE has been manipulated experimentally and preclinically in the attempt to restore, at last in part, the immune disturbances in the disease.

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  1. Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 1000 Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Sophia Giang & Antonio La Cava

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Giang, S., La Cava, A. Regulatory T Cells in SLE: Biology and Use in Treatment. Curr Rheumatol Rep 18, 67 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-016-0616-6

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