摘要：

CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory T cells represent a unique lineage of thymic-derived cells that potently suppress both in vitro and in vivo effector T cell function. We analyzed CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells by DNA microarray, identifying 29 genes differentially expressed in the resting subpopulations, and 77 that were differentially expressed following activation. Most of these genes were elevated in the CD4+CD25+ population, suggesting a previously activated phenotype. Among these were a number of genes that antagonize signaling, including members of the SOCS family, which may contribute to their anergic phenotype. Multiple cell surface receptors also had increased expression in CD4+CD25+ cells, including GITR, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily. Importantly, antibodies to GITR abrogated suppression, demonstrating a functional role for this receptor in regulating the CD4+CD25+ T cell subset.

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