Differential effects of regulatory T cells on the initiation and regression of atherosclerosis

AC Foks, V Frodermann, M Ter Borg, KLL Habets, I Bot… - Atherosclerosis, 2011 - Elsevier
OBJECTIVE: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the regulation of T cell-
mediated immune responses through suppression of T cell proliferation and cytokine
production. In atherosclerosis, a chronic autoimmune-like disease, an imbalance between
pro-inflammatory cells (Th1/Th2) and anti-inflammatory cells (Tregs) exists. Therefore,
increased Treg numbers may be beneficial for patients suffering from atherosclerosis. In the
present study, we determined the effect of a vast expansion of Tregs on the initiation and …