What is a regulatory T cell (Treg)?

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical to the maintenance of self-tolerance and immune cell homeostasis, which is demonstrated by the severe consequences of a lost or nonfunctional Treg population, as occurs in immune dysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked syndrome (IPEX). Treg have also been found to play an important role in regulating immune responses responsible for autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and myasthenia gravis.


Regulatory T cell classification and nomenclature

Classification and nomenclature of Treg have been standardized and include three main Treg populations: (1) Thymus-derived Treg (tTreg), formerly referred to as natural Treg, differentiate from two CD4 single-positive progenitor subsets that are characterized as CD25+ Foxp3 or CD25 Foxp3low. (2) Peripherally derived Treg (pTreg) are induced following antigen stimulation of naive T cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues, such as gut-associated lymphoid tissues. (3) In vitro–generated Treg (iTreg) are derived from naive CD4+ T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 in the presence of IL-2 and TGFβ. While no single marker distinguishes between these three subsets, the expression of Foxp3 is essential for their suppressive function.

The identification and characterization of Treg are complicated by their ability to take on phenotypic and transcriptional characteristics of effector T cells. For example, Treg that must control immune responses in the gut will express RORγt and CD196 (CCR6), in addition to Foxp3 and CD25, while Treg in visceral adipose tissue will express Foxp3 and PPARγ. Such plasticity is driven by cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1, TNFα, an IL-23, and it allows Treg to respond to tissue-specific chemoattractants, migrate to the active site, and regulate the corresponding immune response. Much of what we know about the phenotype and gene signatures of Treg come from studies in mouse models. Studies of Treg in humans are further complicated by the fact that the expression of Foxp3 and other surface markers of Treg can be transiently induced at low levels on conventional T cells upon stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR). Studies of epigenetic modifications found that CpG islands located in the Treg-specific demethylation region (TSDR) of the Foxp3 locus were demethylated in tTreg and pTreg but methylated in iTreg and conventional T cells with low levels or no expression of Foxp3. Thus, demethylation of the TSDR is considered the bona fide method for identifying tTreg & pTreg; the search for surface markers that will enable sorting of specific, live Treg continues.

Table 1. Properties of Treg cells

PropertyThymus-derived Treg (tTreg)Peripherally derived Treg (pTreg)In vitro–generated Treg (iTreg)
DevelopmentThymusPeriphery (primarily gut)In vitro
Progenitor cellCD4 single-positive cells
CD25+Foxp3 or CD25Foxp3low
Naive CD4+ cellsNaive CD4+ cells
Surface phenotypeCD4+CD25hi CD127lowCD62LhiCD44lowCD45RBlow (mice) CD4+CD25hiCD127low or
CD4+CD25hiCD45ROhi (human)
CD4+CD25+CD62LlowCD44hiCD4+CD25+CTLA-4+CD62Llow
TSDR methylation statusDemethylatedDemethylatedMethylated
Transcription factorsFoxp3
c-Rel
EOS
Helios
STAT5
Foxp3
GATA-3 (subset)
Helios (subset)
IRF4 (subset)
PPARγ (subset)
RORγt (subset)
STAT5
T-bet (subset)
Foxp3
Helios (subset)
STAT5
Other associated surface markersCD31 (subset)
CD45RA (subset)
CD49d
CD101
CD103
CD121a (activated)
CD121b (activated)
CD134 (OX-40)
CD137 (4-1BB)
CD152 (CTLA-4)
CD197 (CCR7)
CD304 (NRP1)
CD357 (GITR)
FR4
GARP (activated)
LAP (activated)
TIGIT
CD45RA (subset)
CD49b
CD194 (CCR4; subset)
CD196 (CCR6; subset)
CD183 (CXCR3; subset)
CD223 (LAG3)
CD226
CD278 (ICOS)
CD279 (PD-1)
GARP (activated)
LAP (activated)
CD152 (CTLA-4)
GARP (activated)
LAP (activated)
Ex vivo expansionAnti-CD3 and IL-2n/an/a
In vitro differentiationn/an/aAnti-CD3, anti-CD28, IL-2, and TGFβ
Low: low expression levels, Hi: high expression levels, +: expressed marker is present in cell subtype, -: expressed marker is not present in cell subtype.


Regulatory T cell in disease

There are many different immunosuppressive mechanisms reportedly used by Treg. Cell contact–dependent suppression can be mediated by TIGIT, CD39, CD73, and CD152 (CTLA-4), as well as by cytolysis of target cells via granzymes A and B. While Treg do not secrete IL-2 upon activation, they can secrete immunomodulatory cytokines, such as IL-10, TGFβ, and IL-35. Depletion of IL-2 from the microenvironment and other metabolic perturbations have been reported as mechanisms used by Treg to suppress immune responses.

Several therapeutic drugs target Treg in order to enhance Treg function in autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or to block Treg function in some cancers. For example, anti-TNF antibodies were shown to expand the Treg population in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and stabilize their function, whereas low-dose IL-2 increased expression of CD25 on Foxp3+ cells and expanded the Treg population with promising effects in graft-versus-host disease, Hepatitis C virus–induced vasculitis, type 1 diabetes, alopecia areata, and SLE. Additional studies have looked at using anti-CD3 antibodies, anti-CD25 antibodies, IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes, anti–IL-6 receptor antibodies, and CTLA-4:Ig to target Treg in autoimmune disease. Methods to expand and stabilize Treg ex vivo for therapeutic use are being explored.


Isolation and sorting of viable Treg

Treg were originally identified as a CD4+ CD25+ T cell population with the capacity to suppress an immune response. Magnetic cell separation approaches leverage the high expression of CD25 on Treg to enrich Foxp3+ cells from both humans and mice. The identification of Foxp3 as the “master-regulator” of Treg was a critical step in defining Treg as a distinct T cell lineage. However, CD25 and Foxp3 expression may also be induced in T cells that lack suppressive function. Moreover, the localization of Foxp3 to the nucleus prevents its use as a marker for the isolation of viable Treg.

The identification of additional antigenic markers on the surface of Treg has enabled identification and flow cytometry–based sorting of viable Treg, resulting in a more highly enriched and suppressive Treg population. In addition to CD4 and CD25, both mouse and human Treg can express high levels of CD357 (GITR/AITR) and CD152 (CTLA-4) but express low levels of CD127 (IL-7Ra). In humans, the addition of markers such as CD45RO, CD39, and CD73 can improve the enrichment of Treg, and in fact several studies have shown that using CD4, CD25, and CD127 only to isolate Treg in humans can result in significant enrichment of activated conventional T cells. CD45RA has also proven to be a useful marker for the distinction of resting and effector Treg in humans. Similarly, in the mouse model, the addition of CD39, CD45RB, CD101, FR4, and CD73 to a panel of CD4, CD25, and CD127 can enhance enrichment of Treg.

Treg can exist in different states (resting or activated) and in specific tissues (gut, adipose, skin, or muscle), which can be further identified based on their expression of additional homing and migration markers. The identification and isolation of live Treg using a panel of antibodies for a variety of surface markers enables enrichment of Treg subpopulations and downstream analysis of their suppressive activity, as well as ex vivo expansion and transfer back into mice or humans for the regulation of immune responses.


Treg ex vivo: expansion, differentiation, and function

Treg are potent inhibitors of immune responses; however, they are not a very abundant population of cells. This lack of abundance has necessitated several approaches for ex vivo manipulation, including expansion of existing Treg or the differentiation of Treg from conventional CD4+ T cells, in order to obtain sufficient numbers of cells to study their function, both in vivo and in vitro.

After isolating live Treg from humans or mice, either by magnetic cell separation or multiparameter flow cytometric approaches, this cell population may be expanded in vitro through stimulation of the TCR and addition of IL-2 with or without rapamycin. Stimulation of the TCR may be achieved using plate-bound anti-CD3 antibody, anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies bound to beads, or anti-CD3 antibody–coated antigen presenting cells. Co-stimulation is routinely used for expansion of human Treg but may be dispensable for the in vitro expansion of mouse Treg. Adding rapamycin can be beneficial when using magnetic separation approaches, as it is known to inhibit the expansion of conventional T cells, thereby allowing Treg to preferentially expand and survive.

In mice, Treg may be generated in vitro from naive CD4+ Foxp3 T cells when stimulated through the TCR using anti-CD3 antibody in the presence of IL-2 and TGFβ. Co-stimulation with anti-CD28 antibody may be dispensable, as its ability to promote Foxp3 expression is due primarily to the enhancement of endogenous IL-2 production. Interestingly, although naive CD4+ T cells from humans can be induced to express Foxp3 under similar culture conditions, these cells do not have suppressive function and proliferate and produce inflammatory cytokines in response to re-stimulation. Some studies suggest that the addition of rapamycin or retinoic acid may help promote suppressive function in human cells, but the results have not been reproduced by other laboratories.

The suppressive function of Treg can be studied in vitro using a co-culture system of Treg and effector T cells. The source of Treg may be freshly isolated, expanded ex vivo, or iTreg. Typically, the Treg and effector T cells are cultured at varying ratios with TCR stimulation for up to 4 days. The most common readout is the proliferation of the effector T cells, either by dilution of CFSE (carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester), incorporation of BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) or 3H-thymidine. Cytokine production, upregulation of activation markers, and cell counts may also be assessed. Interestingly, a two-day protocol using expression of CD25 and CD134 (OX-40) on effector T cells has been shown to correlate with proliferation and can serve as a shorter, surrogate measurement of suppressive function of Treg.

Table 2. Reagents for in vitro expansion of tTreg.

MediatorsFunction
Anti-CD3TCR crosslinking
Anti-CD28Co-stimulation
Gibco CTS (Cell Therapy Systems) Dynabeads CD3/CD28TCR crosslinking and co-stimulation
IL-2Growth factor
RapamycinSuppress expansion of conventional T cells

Table 3. Reagents for in vitro generation of iTreg.

MediatorsFunction
Anti-CD3TCR crosslinking
Anti-CD28Co-stimulation
IL-2Growth factor
TGFβGrowth factor
Retinoic acidStabilization of Foxp3 and suppressive function?
RapamycinStabilization of Foxp3 and suppressive function?

Table 4. Reagents for studying the suppressive function of Treg in vitro.

MediatorsFunction
Anti-CD3TCR crosslinking
Anti-CD28Co-stimulation
Gibco CTS (Cell Therapy Systems) Dynabeads CD3/CD28TCR crosslinking and co-stimulation
IL-2Growth factor
CFSECell division
CellTrace dyesCell division
Anti-CD25Activation marker
Anti-CD134Activation marker
Brdu or EdUDNA synthesis/proliferation
3H-ThymidineDNA synthesis/proliferation


Cytokine profiling

Treg cells have been shown to restrict T cell function through diverse methods including contact-dependent and cytokine-mediated mechanisms. These include the secretion of TGF-b which has been shown to be a potent regulator of effector T cell function, IL-10 which can function as a T cell inhibitory cytokine in a context-dependent manner, and IL-35 which some studies have shown to have an inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation. In addition, studies have demonstrated that the chemokines CCL3 and CCL4 can serve as chemoattractants that can affect cytotoxic T cell suppression by bringing them into close proximity to Tregs. Experiments have also suggested that Treg cells indirectly influence T cell proliferation and function due to surface expression of high-affinity IL-2 receptors when compared to stimulated naïve T cells, thus competing for IL-2.

Table 5: Key cytokines involved in Treg differentiation and secretion.

 DifferentiationSecreted
Cytokines and chemokinesIL-2, TGF-bIL-10, TGF-b, IL-35, IL-9, CCL3, CCL4

Tregs also express several immune checkpoint molecules including CTLA‐4, PD‐1, Tim‐3, LAG‐3, and TIGIT which deliver positive or negative immune modulatory signals on engagement with their cognate ligands expressed on antigen presenting cells. Several of these immune checkpoint molecules have been found in their soluble form, either formed due to the proteolytic cleavage of their membrane associated forms or expressed as soluble forms. These soluble forms could have functional activities that can activate or inhibit anti-tumor activity and can be measured in serum or plasma using multiplex immunoassays.

SpeciesDescriptionAnalytesCatalog number
HumanTh1/Th2/Th9/Th17 Cytokine 18-Plex Human ProcartaPlex PanelGM-CSF, IFN gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A (CTLA-8), IL-18, IL-22, IL-23, IL-27, TNF alphaEPX180-12165-901
Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint 14-Plex Human ProcartaPlex Panel 1D27, CD28, CD137 (4-1BB), GITR, HVEM, BTLA, CD80, CD152 (CTLA4), IDO, LAG-3, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, TIM-3EPX14A-15803-901
Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint 14-Plex Human ProcartaPlex Panel 2MICA, MICB, Perforin, ULBP-1, ULBP-3, ULBP-4, Arginase-1, CD73 (NT5E), CD96 (Tactile), E-Cadherin, Nectin-2, PVR, Siglec-7, Siglec-9EPX140-15815-901
MouseTh1/Th2/Th9/Th17/Th22/Treg Cytokine 17-Plex Mouse ProcartaPlex PanelGM-CSF, IFN gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A (CTLA-8), IL-18, IL-22, IL-23, IL-27, TNF alphaEPX170-26087-901
Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint 7-Plex Mouse ProcartaPlex Panel 2CD137L (4-1BBL), CD152 (CTLA4), CD276 (B7-H3), CD80, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2EPX070-20835-901
Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint 4-Plex Mouse ProcartaPlex Panel 1BTLA, CD27, LAG-3, TIM-3EPX040-20830-901

  1. Zhang X, Olsen N, Zheng SG (2020) The progress and prospect of regulatory T cells in autoimmune diseases. J Autoimmun 111:102461.
  2. Ono M (2020) Control of regulatory T-cell differentiation and function by T-cell receptor signalling and Foxp3 transcription factor complexes. Immunology 160:24–37.
  3. Scheinecker C, Göschl L, Bonelli M (2020) Treg cells in health and autoimmune diseases: New insights from single cell analysis. J Autoimmun 110:102376.
  4. Kunicki MA, Amaya Hernandez LC, Davis KL et al. (2018) Identity and diversity of human peripheral Th and T regulatory cells defined by single-cell mass cytometry. J Immunol 200:336–346.
  5. Shevach EM, Thornton AM (2014) tTregs, pTregs, and iTregs: Similarities and differences. Immunol Rev 259:88–102.
  6. Miyara M, Yoshioka Y, Kitoh A et al. (2009) Functional delineation and differentiation dynamics of human CD4+ T cells expressing the FoxP3 transcription factor. Immunity 30:899–911.
  7. Floess S, Freyer J, Siewert C et al. (2007) Epigenetic control of the foxp3 locus in regulatory T cells. PLoS Biol 5:e38.
  8. Takahashi T, Kuniyasu Y, Toda M, Sak et al. (1998) Immunologic self-tolerance maintained by CD25+ CD4+ naturally anergic and suppressive T cells: Induction of autoimmune disease by breaking their anergic/suppressive state. Int Immunol 10:1969–1980.
  9. Ohue Y, Nishikawa H (2019) Regulatory T (Treg) cells in cancer: Can Treg cells be a new therapeutic target? Cancer Sci 110:2080–2089.
  10. MacDonald KN, Piret JM, Levings MK (2019) Methods to manufacture regulatory T cells for cell therapy. Clin Exp Immunol 197:52–63.
  11. Long AE, Tatum M, Mikacenic C et al. (2017) A novel and rapid method to quantify Treg mediated suppression of CD4 T cells. J Immunol Methods 449:15–22.
  12. Pahwa R, Jaggaiahgari S, Pahwa S et al. (2010) Isolation and expansion of human natural T regulatory cells for cellular therapy. J Immunol Methods 363:67–79.
  13. Tran DQ, Andersson J, Wang R et al. (2009) GARP (LRRC32) is essential for the surface expression of latent TGF-beta on platelets and activated FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106):13445–13450.
  14. Fernandez I, Zeiser R, Karsunky H et al. (2007) CD101 surface expression discriminates potency among murine FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. J Immunol 179:2808–2814.
  15. Borsellino G, Kleinewietfeld M, Di Mitri D et al. (2007) Expression of ectonucleotidase CD39 by Foxp3+ Treg cells: Hydrolysis of extracellular ATP and immune suppression. Blood 110:1225–1232.
  16. Banham AH (2006) Cell-surface IL-7 receptor expression facilitates the purification of FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells. Trends Immunol 27:541–544.
  17. MacDonald KN, Piret JM, Levings MK (2019) Methods to manufacture regulatory T cells for cell therapy. Clin Exp Immunol 197:52–63.
  18. Akkaya B, Holstein AH, Isaac C (2017) Ex-vivo iTreg differentiation revisited: Convenient alternatives to existing strategies. J Immunol Methods 441:67–71.
  19. Shevach EM, Thornton AM (2014) tTregs, pTregs, and iTregs: Similarities and differences. Immunol Rev 259:88–102.
  20. Liao G, Nayak S, Regueiro JR et al. (2010) GITR engagement preferentially enhances proliferation of functionally competent CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. Int Immunol 22:259–270.
  21. Hutton JF, Gargett T, Sadlon TJ et al. (2009) Development of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells from cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells. J Leukoc Biol 85:445–451.
  22. Kruisbeek AM, Shevach E, Thornton AM (2004) Proliferative assays for T cell function. Curr Protoc Immunol Chapter 3:Unit 3.12.
  23. Baecher-Allan CM, Hafler DA (2006) The purification and functional analysis of human CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells. Curr Protoc Immunol Chapter 7:Unit 7.4B.

Related articles and resources

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.