Graded Foxo1 Activity in Regulatory T Cells Differentiates Tumor Immunity from Autoimmunity

摘要

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 have a pivotal role in maintaining immunological self-tolerance; yet, excessive Treg activities suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Compared to resting phenotype Tregs (rTregs) in the secondary lymphoid organs, Tregs in non-lymphoid tissues exhibit an activated Treg (aTreg) phenotype. However, aTreg function and whether its generation can be manipulated are largely unexplored. Here we show that the transcription factor Foxo1, previously demonstrated to promote Treg suppression of lymphoproliferative diseases, has an unexpected function in inhibiting aTreg-mediated immune tolerance.