T Regulatory Cells and Their Role in Autoimmune Disease Involving the Gastrointestinal Tract

Zaid Mahdi; Martin H. Bluth

doi:10.29074/ascls.28.1.56

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Zaid Mahdi, MD, PhD⇑
1. Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Martin H. Bluth, MD, PhD
1. Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Address for Correspondence: Zaid Mahdi, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, Zmahdi{at}med.wayne.edu

Recall how to identify T regulatory cells and the percentage of T regulatory cells among circulating lymphocytes.
Discuss the types of T regulatory cells in the GI tract.
Define immune tolerance.
Describe the kinetics of T regulatory cells in inflammatory bowel disease.
Explain the role of commensal bacteria and nutrients in regard to T regulatory cells activity.

Abstract

T regulatory (Treg) cells represent a unique subset of T lymphocytes. Although they represent a small fraction of circulating T cells (< 10%) they are increasingly implicated in providing immuoregulatory function towards maintaining immune homeostasis. Treg dysregulation has been associated with autoimmune disease in general, as well as in specific organ systems. This review provides an overview of the characterization and function of Treg cells in health and disease states with an emphasis of their involvement gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases.

ABBREVIATIONS: DC – dendritic cell, GI – gastrointestinal, IBD – inflammatory bowel disease, IL-2 - interleukin 2, IPEX - immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, and enteropathy X-linked, iTreg - induced T regulatory cells, nTreg - naturally occurring T regulatory cells, PBMC – peripheral blood mononuclear cells, SCFA – short chain fatty acids, Th - T helper, TGF-β - transforming growth factor, Tr1 - type 1 regulatory cells, Treg – T regulatory cells.