| First Author | Fontenot JD | Year | 2003 |
| Journal | Nat Immunol | Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 330-6 |
| PubMed ID | 12612578 | Mgi Jnum | J:82560 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2653673 | Doi | 10.1038/ni904 |
| Citation | Fontenot JD, et al. (2003) Foxp3 programs the development and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Nat Immunol 4(4):330-6 |
| abstractText | CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are essential for the active suppression of autoimmunity. Here we report that the forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 is specifically expressed in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and is required for their development. The lethal autoimmune syndrome observed in Foxp3-mutant scurfy mice and Foxp3-null mice results from a CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell deficiency and not from a cell-intrinsic defect of CD4+CD25- T cells. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells rescue disease development and preferentially expand when transferred into neonatal Foxp3-deficient mice. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Foxp3 confers suppressor function on peripheral CD4+CD25- T cells. Thus, Foxp3 is a critical regulator of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell development and function. |
