The Regulatory-T-Cell Memory Phenotype: What We Know

Cells. 2022 May 19;11(10):1687. doi: 10.3390/cells11101687.

Abstract

In immunology, the discovery of regulatory T (Treg) cells was a major breakthrough. Treg cells play a key role in pregnancy maintenance, in the prevention of autoimmune responses, and in the control of all immune responses, including responses to self cells, cancer, infection, and a transplant. It is currently unclear whether Treg cells are capable of long-term memory of an encounter with an antigen. Although the term "immunological memory" usually means an enhanced ability to protect the body from reinfection, the memory of the suppressive activity of Treg cells helps to avoid the state of generalized immunosuppression that may result from the second activation of the immune system. In this review, we would like to discuss the concept of regulatory memory and in which tissues memory Treg cells can perform their functions.

Keywords: Treg cells; cell markers; flow cytometry; immune memory; regulatory T-cell memory.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory*

Substances

  • Antigens

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant # 21-75-10089).