Factors affecting the apoptosis and homeostasis of regulatory T cells

CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in the immune system.They are involved in the prevention of autoimmune diseases,allergic diseases,infection-induced organ pathology,transplant rejection as well as graft versus host disease via suppressing effector T cells and other immune cells.In last two decades,substantial molecular differences between the homeostasis of Tregs and that of other subsets of T cells have been characterized.Specific factors that regulate Treg survival have been identified.To further understand the various factors and pathways that influence the survival and homeostasis of Treg can improve our understanding in the regulation of Treg. Key words: Regulatory T cell;  Apoptosis ;  Homeostasis