Expression of the autoimmune susceptibility gene FcRL3 on human regulatory T cells is associated with dysfunction and high levels of programmed cell death-1.

ABSTRACT: CD4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg)) play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and inhibiting autoimmune disease. Despite being a major focus of modern immunological investigation, many aspects of T(reg) biology remain unknown. In a screen for novel candidate genes involved in human T(reg) function, we detected the expression of an autoimmune susceptibility gene, FcRL3, in T(reg) but not in conventional CD4(+) T cells. FcRL3 is an orphan receptor of unknown function with structural homology to classical Fc receptors. Numerous genetic studies have demonstrated a link between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the FCRL3 promoter and both overexpression of FcRL3 and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Given the critical role of T(reg) in suppressing autoimmunity,

SUBMITTER: Swainson LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2894810 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature