Interleukin-10-producing CD4-positive T cell (Tr1 cell) (Tr1 cell)

Interleukin-10-producing CD4-positive T cells, frequently identified as Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells, are a distinct subset of regulatory lymphocytes essential for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. Unlike classical Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, Tr1 cells are primarily defined by their ability to secrete high levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and are often identified by the co-expression of surface markers such as LAG-3 and CD49b. These cells function by suppressing the activation and effector functions of other immune cells, including Th1 and Th17 cells, thereby limiting tissue damage during chronic inflammation or infection. In therapeutic development, Tr1 cells are targeted through the use of immunosuppressive agents like Vitamin D3 and Dexamethasone to induce their differentiation, or through the administration of IL-10 agonists to mimic their suppressive effects. While they offer significant potential for treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and graft-versus-host disease, their presence in the tumor microenvironment can inadvertently promote cancer progression by dampening anti-tumor immunity.

Other names

Type 1 regulatory T cellTr1 cellIL-10-producing CD4+ T cellRegulatory T cell type 1IL-10+ CD4+ T cell

Induction of regulatory T cell differentiation and agonism of the IL-10 receptor signaling pathway to suppress pro-inflammatory responses.