The Yin and Yang of CD4+ Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity and Cancer

Title: The Yin and Yang of CD4+ Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity and Cancer

Volume: 16 Issue: 35

Author(s): M. Galgani, A. Di Giacomo, G. Matarese and A. La Cava

Affiliation:

Keywords: CD4+, T Cells, immune system, homeostasis

Abstract: The immune system balances effector responses with tolerance, to protect the host from pathogens while minimizing local damage to tissue. An altered control of immune homeostasis can lead to loss of tolerance to self antigens in autoimmunity, or promote unwanted tolerance to tumor growth. This review focuses on the dual activity of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmunity and cancer. Tregs play a key role in the mechanisms of immune tolerance and actively suppress pro-inflammatory responses, thus providing a beneficial action in autoimmunity and detrimental effects in cancer.

Cite this article as:

Galgani M., Di Giacomo A., Matarese G. and Cava La A., The Yin and Yang of CD4+ Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709789878201