Regulation of FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells and Th17 Cells by Retinoids

Abstract EN

Vitamin A has both positive and negative regulatory functions in the immune system.

While vitamin A is required for normal formation of immune cells and epithelial cell barriers, vitamin A deficiency can lead to increased inflammatory responses and tissue damage.

The mechanism with which vitamin A and its metabolites such as retinoids negatively regulate inflammatory responses has not been clearly defined.

Recently, it has been established that retinoids promote the generation of immune-suppressive FoxP3+ regulatory T cells while they suppress the T cell differentiation into inflammatory Th17 cells in the periphery such as intestine.

These novel functions of retinoids provide a potentially important immune regulatory mechanism.

In this review, we discuss the functions of retinoids in the development of the FoxP3+ cells and Th17 cells, the phenotype and functions of retinoid-induced FoxP3+ T cells, and the impact of retinoid-induced FoxP3+ T cells on the immune tolerance.