AUTHOR=Ge Junwei , Yin Xuan , Chen Lujun 

TITLE=Regulatory T cells: masterminds of immune equilibrium and future therapeutic innovations

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1457189

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2024.1457189

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4<sup>+</sup>T cells marked by the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), are pivotal in maintaining immune equilibrium and preventing autoimmunity. In our review, we addressed the functional distinctions between Foxp3<sup>+</sup>Tregs and other T cells, highlighting their roles in autoimmune diseases and cancer. We uncovered the dual nature of Tregs: they prevented autoimmune diseases by maintaining self-tolerance while contributing to tumor evasion by suppressing anti-tumor immunity. This study underscored the potential for targeted therapeutic strategies, such as enhancing Treg activity to restore balance in autoimmune diseases or depleting Foxp3<sup>+</sup>Tregs to augment anti-tumor immune responses in cancer. These insights laid the groundwork for future research and clinical applications, emphasizing the critical role of Foxp3<sup>+</sup>Tregs in immune regulation and the advancement of next-generation immunotherapies.</p>