TGF-β signaling mediates crosstalk between CD8+ T cells and CD39+ induced Treg cells in autoimmune inflammation
This study identifies a previously unrecognized role of CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in enhancing iTreg differentiation, stability, and suppressive function through the ROS/TGF-β-IRF4 pathway. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of immune regulation and suggest that harnessing CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell-primed iTregs could represent a promising strategy to strengthen Treg-based therapies for autoimmune diseases.
Authors
- Qi Long
- Yumei Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-4594)
- Nancy J. Olsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6588-3364)
- L M Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7006-0266)
- Song Guo Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5611-4774)
- Yi-Xiang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4021-4228)
- Wei Zhao
- Jun Zhao
- Nianke Zang
- Yang Lu
- Yi Yang
- Jing Rong Chen
- Yun Feng Pan
- Jun Long Dang
- Rong Zhen Liang
- Yi Ding Xiong
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Guangdong Medical College (CN)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Tongren Hospital (CN)
- Songjiang District Central Hospital (CN)
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Biomedical Science
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-026-01228-z
- Primary Topic
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province