The transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) has been identified as a marker of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and is a key determinant of their immunosuppressive functions. FOXP3 has indeed been shown to limit antitumor immune responses during tumor progression. In addition, by expressing FOXP3, tumor cells may evade effector T-cell responses.

The forkhead, winged-helix transcription factor FOXP3 is preferentially expressed in T regulatory (Treg) cells and is critical for their immunosuppressive function. Mutations that abolish FOXP3 function lead to systemic autoimmunity in mice and humans. However, the manner by which FOXP3 recognizes cognate DNA elements is unclear. Here we identify an in vitro optimized DNA sequence to assess FOX...

The transcription factor Foxp3 is essential for optimal regulatory T (T reg) cell development and function. Here, we show that CD4(+) T cells from Cbl-b RING finger mutant knockin or Cbl-b-deficient mice show impaired TGF-beta-induced Foxp3 expression. These T cells display augmented Foxo3a phosphorylation, but normal TGF-beta signaling. Expression of Foxo3a rescues Foxp3 expression in Cbl-b-de...

The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells (Treg). It is established that the transcription factor GATA-3 is induced in Treg cells under inflammatory conditions. GATA-3 stabilizes FOXP3 levels to avoid the differentiation of Treg cells into inflammatory-like T cells. The IL-6 signal pathway influences the sensitivity of Treg cells towa...

CD4 T cell lineages are marked by the signature transcription factor each lineage expresses. For example, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are characterized by expression of FOXP3, which is either induced during thymic development for natural Tregs (nTregs), or in the periphery in the presence of TGF-beta and retinoic acid for induced Tregs (iTreg). Interestingly, recent work has shown that the signa...

Expression of the regulatory T (T reg) cell-associated transcription factor Foxp3 can be induced by signals from the T cell receptor (TCR), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. These signals are integrated by a network involving phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB; here referred to as Akt), and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). New stu...

background: type 1 diabetes (t1d) is a t cell mediated autoimmune disease targeting the insulin-producing β cells within pancreatic islets. autoimmune diseases may develop as a consequence of altered balance between regulatory (tregs) and autoreactive t cells. objectives: to evaluate treg cells frequency and suppressive function in the peripheral blood of newly diagnosed t1d patients in compari...

Inducible gene expression, which requires chromatin remodeling on gene promoters, underlies the epigenetically inherited differentiation program of most immune cells. However, chromatin-mediated mechanisms that underlie these events in T regulatory cells remain to be fully characterized. Here, we report that inducibility of FOXP3, a key transcription factor for the development of T regulatory c...

Regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are a population of CD4+ T cells that limit immune responses. FoxP3 is a master control transcription factor for development and function of these cells, but its regulation is poorly understood. We have identified a T cell receptor-responsive enhancer in the FoxP3 first intron that is dependent on a cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB)/activating t...

The level and activity of the forkhead family transcription factor FOXP3 determine the immune function of FOXP3+Tregs. At the beginning of infectious processes, FOXP3+Tregs may regulate effector immune cell responses and lead to failure to control infection. FOXP3+Tregs may also help to limit collateral tissue damage when the antiviral immune responses are too vigorous. Understanding the regula...