Suppressor effector T cells, also known as regulatory T cells or Tregs, refer to a specialized subset of T lymphocytes that play a crucial role in the immune response by actively suppressing or regulating the activity of other immune cells. These cells possess the ability to prevent or dampen excessive immune responses, thereby maintaining a delicate balance between immunity and tolerance.
Suppressor effector T cells are characterized by the expression of specific cell surface markers, such as CD4 and CD25, as well as the transcription factor FoxP3. They can be further classified into two major subtypes: natural Tregs (nTregs) and induced Tregs (iTregs). nTregs are a naturally occurring subset of T cells that develop in the thymus, while iTregs are induced in peripheral tissues under certain conditions.
The main function of these cells is to suppress the activation and proliferation of other immune cells, including T cells, B cells, and antigen-presenting cells. They achieve this by producing inhibitory molecules, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which act locally to inhibit the activation of neighboring immune cells. Suppressor effector T cells also exert their suppressive effects through cell-to-cell contact, involving surface molecules like cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1).
By regulating the immune response, suppressor effector T cells help to prevent autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and excessive inflammation. Dysfunction or deficiency of these cells can lead to uncontrolled immune responses, resulting in chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Thus, enhancing the function of suppressor effector T cells holds potential therapeutic implications in diseases where immune dysregulation occurs
