FoxP3 found in both T regs and activated T cells

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Reply FoxP3 found in both T regs and activated T cells Posted on: Apr 11, 2011 at 2:20am
It has become apparant now that FoxP3 protein has been indentified in activated T cells(those cells programmed to attack foreign cells) as well as in T regulator cells(the cells we try and identify as a sign the embyro has succeeded in generating immune tolerance). This was thought to be unique to T regulator cells and its elevated presence therefore was thought to signal a high number of T regulator cells. It seems there will be contamination with actived T cells as well and the numbers have to be reevaluated in that context and of course other signs of immune activation will have to be considered as well when ananlyzing these numbers.
It seems that a better indicator of T reg cell numbers may come from not measuring the FoxP3 protien but several surface (CD) markers on the surface of the T cells, This is important as several new studies show a significant decrease in these new markers in patients with RPL and those that suffered from toxemia or preeclampsia.
We will be adding these new markers for T reg cells shortly here at Braverman Reproductive Immunology, and of course I continue to drive the lab director crazy with frequent new additons to our lab studies, but thats what everyone of my patients expects from me.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.