Biological function of type 1 regulatory cells and their role in type 1 diabetes

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 17; p. e36524
• Main Authors: Qi, Lingli, Wang, Zhichao, Huang, Xinxing, Gao, Xiuzhu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.09.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Autoimmune disease; Biological function; Cell therapy; Review; Type 1 diabetes; Type 1 regulatory cell; Autoimmune disease; Biological function; Cell therapy; Type 1 diabetes; Type 1 regulatory cell
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36524

The collapse of immune homeostasis induces type 1 diabetes (T1D). In T1D, uncontrolled immune attacks against islet β cells reduce insulin secretion, resulting in hyperglycaemia and various complications. Type 1 regulatory (Tr1) cell therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of T1D. Tr1 cells are a subset of regulatory T (Treg) cells that are characterised by high interleukin-10 secretion and forkhead box protein P3 non-expression. Tr1 cells are reduced and have impaired function in patients with T1D. Immunotherapy is used to treat various diseases, and Treg cells have been applied to treat T1D in animal models and clinical trials. However, the safety and efficacy of Tr1 cells in treating diabetes and other diseases remain unclear. In this review, we aim to investigate the identification and biological function of Tr1 cells and related studies on immune diseases; additionally, we discuss the feasibility, limitations, and possible solutions of Tr1 cell therapy in T1D. This review shows that T1D is caused by an immune imbalance where defective Tr1 cells fail to control effector T cells, leading to the destruction of islet β cells. However, Tr1 cell therapy is safe and effective for other immune diseases, suggesting its potential for treating T1D. •T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by insulin deficiency.•Tr1 cells are reduced and have impaired function in patients with T1D.•This review discusses the biological function of Tr1 cells and their role in TD1.•Tr1 cell therapy is safe and effective for various immune diseases.•Tr1 cell therapy could be used to treat T1D in the future.