Recent advances in CD8+ regulatory T cell research #MMPMID29805553
Yu Y; Ma X; Gong R; Zhu J; Wei L; Yao J
Oncol Lett 2018[Jun]; 15 (6): 8187-94 PMID29805553show ga
Various subgroups of CD8+ T lymphocytes do not only demonstrate cytotoxic effects, but also serve important regulatory roles in the body's immune response. In particular, CD8+ regulatory T cells (CD8+ Tregs), which possess important immunosuppressive functions, are able to effectively block the overreacting immune response and maintain the body's immune homeostasis. In recent years, studies have identified a small set of special CD8+ Tregs that can recognize major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecules, more specifically Qa-1 in mice and HLA-E in humans, and target the self-reactive CD4+ T ce lls. These findings have generated broad implications in the scientific community and attracted general interest to CD8+ Tregs. The present study reviews the recent research progress on CD8+ Tregs, including their origin, functional classification, molecular markers and underlying mechanisms of action.