Natural regulatory T cells in infectious disease

This review discusses the control exerted by natural CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells ( natural T-reg cells) during infectious processes. Natural T-reg cells may limit the magnitude of effector responses, which may result in failure to adequately control infection. However, natural T-reg cells also help limit collateral tissue damage caused by vigorous antimicrobial immune responses. We describe here various situations in which the balance between natural T-reg cells and effector immune functions influences the outcome of infection and discuss how manipulating this equilibrium might be exploited therapeutically.