Forkhead Box P Family Members at the Crossroad Between Tolerance and Immunity: A Balancing Act. (4th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fleskens, Veerle; van Boxtel, Ruben
• Is Part Of: International reviews of immunology. Volume 33:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2014-03-04
• Subjects: Immunology -- Periodicals; Autoimmune diseases -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2013.816698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0185

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Maintaining an immune balance between a chronic inflammatory state and autoimmunity is regulated at multiple levels by complex cellular signaling mechanisms. Numerous immune stimu- latory and inhibitory signals converge on a large variety of transcriptional regulators. One key transcriptional regulator of immune homeostasis is FOXP3, which is a member of the Forkhead Box P subfamily of transcription factors and was shown to be essential for the development and maintenance of regulatory T cells. However, other FOXP members have received less attention in relation to a role in immune regulation. Still, recent developments point toward a general important regulatory role for FOXP proteins in the development and function of the adaptive immune system and establishment of a balanced immune response. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the role of FOXP proteins in establishing immune homeostasis with an emphasis on T-cell biology. Furthermore, we review and speculate about different modes of regulating general FOXP activity and the function of this in health and disease.</p> </abstract>