Transcription factor c-Rel is indispensable for generation of thymic but not of peripheral Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells.

ABSTRACT: The transcription factor c-Rel has been shown to be crucial for development of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Recent studies have reported that the expression of transcription factor Helios in Foxp3⁺ Tregs correlates with thymic origin of these cells (tTregs). Notably, we found that only the Helios⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cell population was substantially reduced in c-Rel deficient mice. In contrast to a defective tTreg development, we observed an expansion of mucosal Tregs during the induction of acute colitis in rel^-/- mice. Furthermore, we found a preferential accumulation of Helios^-Foxp3⁺ Tregs in aged c-Rel deficient mice. This unexpected finding, together with the observation that naïve CD4⁺ T cells convert into Tre

SUBMITTER: Luu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5581060 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature