What do regulatory T-cells do?

Regulatory T-cells, often referred to as Tregs, are a specialized subset of T lymphocytes that play a crucial role in maintaining immune balance. Their primary role is to suppress and modulate the activity of other immune cells, thereby preventing excessive immune reactions that could potentially attack and harm the body's own tissues.

Tregs achieve immune regulation through several mechanisms including:  

• Producing specific anti-inflammatory cytokines that inhibit the activation of immune cells and dampen immune responses, helping to maintain immune tolerance.
• Directly interacting with other immune cells and delivering suppressive signals, limiting the activation of these cells and reducing their immune activity.
• Suppressing self-reacting T cells and B cells, which is crucial for preventing autoimmune reactions, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.