Taming tissue-specific T cells: CTLA-4 reins in self-reactive T cells

Nat Immunol. 2010 Feb;11(2):109-11. doi: 10.1038/ni0210-109.

Abstract

CTLA-4 is a potent co-inhibitory molecule that is critical for peripheral T cell tolerance. A report in this issue reveals the autoantigen-specific nature of CTLA-4-deficient CD4+ T cells within target tissue. In vivo studies demonstrate that CTLA-4 expression by self-reactive effector cells is sufficient to limit their infiltration into target tissue and that regulatory T cells expressing CTLA-4 can control autoantigen-specific effector T cells. Thus, these findings provide evidence that CTLA-4 exerts its critical immunoregulatory functions by controlling conventional T cells as well as regulatory T cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Mice
  • Self Tolerance / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse