regulatory T cell

Regulatory T cells act to control immune reactions, being of special importance for their ability to suppress immune responses and thereby prevent autoimmunity, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Cytotoxic T cells, which are activated by various cytokines, bind to and…

multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells. They are then sent to peripheral tissues or circulate in the blood or lymphatic system. Once stimulated by the appropriate antigen, helper T cells secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which stimulate the differentiation of B…

…second class consists of “suppressor” T cells, which modulate and control immune responses. The third class comprises the “killer” T cells, which are cytotoxic (i.e., they are able to destroy other cells). Most of the lymphocytes lying between the epithelial cells of the mucosa are killer T cells.

…1980s and ’90s, Sakaguchi discovered regulatory T cells, which control immune reactions and keep other T cells from attacking the body’s own cells. He and others later followed on the work of Brunkow and Ramsdell to identify the gene that controlled the development of regulatory T cells.