DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitor Promotes Human CD4⁺CD25^hFOXP3⁺ Regulatory T Lymphocyte Induction under Suboptimal TCR Stimulation.

ABSTRACT: The "master transcription factor" FOXP3 regulates the differentiation, homeostasis, and suppressor function of CD4⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are critical in maintaining immune tolerance. Epigenetic regulation of FOXP3 expression has been demonstrated to be important to Treg cell development, but the induction of human Treg cells through epigenetic modification has not been clearly described. We report that the combination of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) and suboptimal T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation promoted CD4⁺CD25^hFOXP3⁺ T cell induction from human CD4⁺CD25^- T cells. 5-Aza treatment enhanced the expression of Treg cell signature genes, such as CD25, FOXP3, CTLA-4, and GITR, in CD4

SUBMITTER: Lu CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5099256 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature