Avian CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells: Properties and therapeutic applications

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells that specialize in immune suppression. CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells have been characterized as Tregs and extensively studied in mammals. In the absence of a putative FoxP3 ortholog in avians, CD4+CD25+ cells is characterized as Tregs in avians. Avian CD4+CD25+ cells produce high amounts of IL-10, TGF-β, CTLA-4, and LAG-3 mRNA; lack IL-2 mRNA; and suppress T cell proliferation in vitro through both...