A wave of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cell accumulation in the neonatal liver plays unique roles in maintaining self-tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Newborn animals require tightly regulated local and systemic immune environments to govern the development and maturation of multiple organs/tissues even though the immune system itself is far from mature during the neonatal period. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining immune tolerance/homeostasis and modulating inflammatory responses. The features of Tregs in the neonatal liver under steady-state conditions are not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the phenotype, functions, and significance of neonatal Tregs in the liver. We found a wave of thymus-derived Treg influx into the liver during 1-2 weeks of age. Depletion of these Tregs between days 7 and 11 after birth rapidly resulted in Th1-type liver inflammation and metabolic disorder. More Tregs i

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7193579 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature