TCF1 and LEF1 Control Treg Competitive Survival and Tfr Development to Prevent Autoimmune Diseases.

ABSTRACT: CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ T regulatory (Treg) cells are key players in preventing lethal autoimmunity. Tregs undertake differentiation processes and acquire diverse functional properties. However, how Treg's differentiation and functional specification are regulated remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that gradient expression of TCF1 and LEF1 distinguishes Tregs into three distinct subpopulations, particularly highlighting a subset of activated Treg (aTreg) cells. Treg-specific ablation of TCF1 and LEF1 renders the mice susceptible to systemic autoimmunity. TCF1 and LEF1 are dispensable for Treg's suppressive capacity but essential for maintaining a normal aTreg pool and promoting Treg's competitive survival. As a consequence, the development of T follicular regulatory

SUBMITTER: Yang BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6701704 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature