Reduced number and function of CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ regulatory T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining tolerance to self-antigens controlling occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Recently, it has been shown that the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) is specifically expressed on CD4+CD25+ T cells. FoxP3 has been described as the master control gene for the development and function of Tregs.