Spontaneous antibody production caused by regulatory T cell deficiency occurs through a germinal center-independent pathway.

Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the prevention of autoantibody and allergen-specific IgE production. Treg deficiency causes an elevation of the serum levels of these pathogenic antibodies, accompanied by spontaneous germinal center (GC) formation. However, it remains to be determined whether excessive and pathogenic antibody production induced by Treg deficiency requires a GC response.

Dysregulation of humoral immunity in Foxp3 conditional-knockout mice.

Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining tolerance to self-antigens and preventing autoimmune diseases. Loss of Foxp3 expression leads to autoimmunity and disrupts humoral immune responses, including hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Elucidation of how Tregs control antibody production can lead to the development of new therapies for autoimmune and allergic diseases.