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. 2003 Apr;4(4):330-6.
doi: 10.1038/ni904. Epub 2003 Mar 3.

Foxp3 programs the development and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Jason D Fontenot  1 , Marc A Gavin, Alexander Y Rudensky
Affiliations

Foxp3 programs the development and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Jason D Fontenot et al. Nat Immunol. 2003 Apr.

Abstract

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.

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Comment in

  • Twenty-first century Foxp3.
    O'Garra A, Vieira P. O'Garra A, et al. Nat Immunol. 2003 Apr;4(4):304-6. doi: 10.1038/ni0403-304. Nat Immunol. 2003. PMID: 12660726 No abstract available.

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