(Journal Article): An essential role for Scurfin in CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells.
 
Khattri R, Cox T, Yasayko SA, Ramsdell F (Celltech R&D Inc., 1631 220th Street SE, Bothell, Washington 98021, USA.)
 
IN: Nat Immunol 2003; 4(4):337-342
Impact Factor(s) of Nat Immunol: 27.011 (2005), 27.586 (2004), 28.18 (2003), 27.868 (2002), 17.431 (2001)

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ABSTRACT: The molecular properties that characterize CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (TR cells) remain elusive. Absence of the transcription factor Scurfin (also known as forkhead box P3 and encoded by Foxp3) causes a rapidly fatal lymphoproliferative disease, similar to that seen in mice lacking cytolytic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Here we show that Foxp3 is highly expressed by T(R) cells and is associated with T(R) cell activity and phenotype. Scurfin-deficient mice lack T(R) cells, whereas mice that overexpress Foxp3 possess more T(R) cells. In Foxp3-overexpressing mice, both CD4+CD25- and CD4-CD8+ T cells show suppressive activity and CD4+CD25- cells express glucocorticoid-induced tumor-necrosis factor receptor-related (GITR) protein. The forced expression of Foxp3 also delays disease in CTLA-4-/- mice, indicating that the Scurfin and CTLA-4 pathways may intersect and providing further insight into the T(R) cell lineage.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original article

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