Suppression of effector T cell function by regulatory T cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells required for immune homeostasis, self-tolerance, and the prevention of autoimmunity. Tregs suppress the activation, proliferation, and effector functions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells mainly through secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-35), competition for IL-2, direct cell contact (CTLA-4, LAG3, TIGIT), induction of apoptosis, and metabolic disruption. Treg-mediated suppression is essential for preventing excessive immune activation and autoimmunity but may also limit beneficial anti-tumor or anti-infective immune responses. This “target” describes a fundamental immunological process, not an individual molecular entity.

Other names

Treg-mediated immune suppressionRegulatory T cell suppressionTreg suppression of effector T cells

Secretion of inhibitory cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-35); Consumption of growth factors (IL-2 ‘sink’ mechanism); Cell contact-dependent suppression (CTLA-4, LAG3, TIGIT); Metabolic disruption (CD39/CD73/adenosine; cAMP transfer); Induction of apoptosis (Granzyme B/perforin)