Regulatory T Cells in Dominant Immunologic Tolerance

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells), particularly those expressing Foxp3, are essential for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. They are involved in tissue repair and metabolic regulation, adapting to specific tissues such as the gut, lungs, and skin. Treg cells can become destabilized during persistent inflammation, potentially converting into pathogenic cells that exacerbate conditions like asthma and food allergies. The document highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting pathways to restore Treg function and explores the use of gene editing and engineered IL-2 muteins to enhance Treg stability. Clinical trials are underway to assess Treg therapies in autoimmune diseases and transplantation, suggesting promise for treating these disorders.