The immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX) is a rare disorder caused by mutations of the FOXP3 gene. The FOXP3 gene encodes a DNA-binding protein of the forkhead/winged-helix family and is the central controller of the development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells help prevent autoimmune disease; a deficiency of these cells causes increased immunologic reactivity and autoimmunity.
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