Heterogeneity of natural Foxp3+ T cells: A committed regulatory T-cell lineage and an uncommitted minor population retaining plasticity

摘要: Natural regulatory T cells (T(reg)) represent a distinct lineage of lymphocytes committed to suppressive functions, and expression the transcription factor Foxp3 is thought identify this specifically. Here we report that, whereas majority natural CD4(+)Foxp3(+) maintain stable after adoptive transfer lymphopenic or lymphoreplete recipients, minor fraction enriched within CD25(-) subset actually lose it. Some those Foxp3(-) adopt effector helper cell (T(h)) some retain "memory" previous expression, reacquiring upon activation. This minority "unstable" population exhibits flexible responses cytokine signals, relying on transforming growth factor-beta responding other cytokines by differentiating into T(h) in vitro. In contrast, CD4(+)Foxp3(+)CD25(high) are resistant such conversion even many rounds division. These results demonstrate that Foxp3(+) heterogeneous consisting T(reg) an uncommitted subpopulation with developmental plasticity.