ROLE OF REGULATORY T-CELLS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Autoimmune diseases represent a major global health challenge, arising from the failure of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to the destruction of healthy tissues. This breakdown of immune tolerance results in chronic inflammation, progressive tissue damage, and debilitating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Despite advances in conventional immunosuppressive therapies, current treatments often lack specificity and may cause systemic side effects, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic strategies. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a specialized subset of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes characterized by the expression of CD25 and the transcription factor FOXP3, play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis. They function as key immunological regulators by suppressing excessive immune responses through cytokine secretion (IL-10, TGF-β), direct cell-to-cell interactions, and modulation of cytokine availability such as IL-2. Dysfunction, deficiency, or imbalance of Tregs contributes significantly to the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune diseases. This study explores the biological role of Tregs in immune regulation, their involvement in the development of autoimmune disorders, and the underlying mechanisms leading to immune dysregulation. Furthermore, it highlights emerging pharmacological approaches targeting Tregs, including cytokine-based therapies and adoptive Treg transfer, which offer promising and more specific alternatives to traditional treatments. Understanding Treg-mediated immune control provides a strong foundation for the development of innovative, targeted therapies aimed at restoring immune balance and improving clinical outcomes in autoimmune diseases.