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Original Article |
Correspondence to: Helmut Jonuleit, Dept. of Dermatology, University of Mainz, D-55101 Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Germany. Tel:49-6131-173541 Fax:49-6131-175505 E-mail:jonuleit{at}hautklinik.klinik.uni-mainz.de.
A subpopulation of peripheral human CD4+CD25+ T cells that expresses CD45RO, histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DR, and intracellular cytotoxic T lymphocyteassociated antigen (CTLA) 4 does not expand after stimulation and markedly suppresses the expansion of conventional T cells in a contact-dependent manner. After activation, CD4+CD25+ T cells express CTLA-4 on the surface detectable for several weeks. These cells show a G1/G0 cell cycle arrest and no production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, or interferon (IFN)-
on either protein or mRNA levels. The anergic state of CD4+CD25+ T cells is not reversible by the addition of anti-CD28, antiCTLA-4, antitransforming growth factor ß, or antiIL-10 antibody. However, the refractory state of CD4+CD25+ T cells was partially reversible by the addition of IL-2 or IL-4. These data demonstrate that human blood contains a resident T cell population with potent regulatory properties.
Key Words: human regulatory T cells, CD4+CD25+ T cells, CTLA-4 expression, T cell inhibition, tolerance
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