Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their therapeutic potential against autoimmune disorders - Advances and challenges

• Published in: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 2035117
• Main Authors: Goswami, Tapas Kumar, Singh, Mithilesh, Dhawan, Manish, Mitra, Saikat, Emran, Talha Bin, Rabaan, Ali A., Mutair, Abbas Al, Alawi, Zainab Al, Alhumaid, Saad, Dhama, Kuldeep
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 31.12.2022; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Antigen-Presenting Cells; autoimmune diseases; Autoimmune Diseases - therapy; Autoimmunity; Foxp3; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunosuppression Therapy; Immunotherapy – Reviews; regulatory T cell (Treg); Review; self versus non-self; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Treg therapy; Autoimmunity; Treg therapy; autoimmune diseases; Foxp3; self versus non-self; regulatory T cell (Treg)
• ISSN: 2164-5515; 2164-554X
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2035117

Autoimmune diseases are caused when immune cells act against self-protein. This biological self-non-self-discrimination phenomenon is controlled by a distinct group of lymphocytes known as regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are key inflammatory response regulators and play a pivotal role in immune tolerance and homeostasis. Treg-mediated robust immunosuppression provides self-tolerance and protection against autoimmune diseases. However, once this system fails to operate or poorly operate, it leads to an extreme situation where immune system reacts against self-antigens and destroys host organs, thus causing autoimmune diseases. Tregs can target both innate and adaptive immunity via modulating multiple immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, antigen-presenting cells, B cells, and T cells. This review highlights the Treg-mediated immunosuppression, role of several markers and their interplay during Treg development and differentiation, and advances in therapeutic aspects of Treg cells to reduce severity of autoimmunity-related conditions along with emphasizing limitations and challenges of their usages.