Semin Respir Crit Care Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2703-4491
Review Article

T Regulatory Mechanisms in Airway and Interstitial Lung Disease

Authors

  • Christopher F. Pastore

    1   Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Virginia, Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Brennan D. Stadler

    1   Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Virginia, Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Anne I. Sperling

    1   Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Virginia, Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Tania E. Velez

    1   Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Virginia, Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia

Funding This study was supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant nos.: T32AI007046 and U19AI162310).
Preview

Abstract

Chronic lung disease is a sequela of unresolving pathogenesis in the lung. Current estimates report approximately 7.4% of the world's population live with chronic respiratory diseases. The architectural differences in the airways and individual alveoli provide unique microenvironments for mechanisms of disease and thus necessitate specialized modes of regulation. A key immune cell type that has the ability to adapt and provide copius regulatory mechanisms are T regulatory cells (Tregs). In the last two decades, studies have revealed that Tregs respond to their microenvironment and phenotypically change to conduct versatile functions; however, during chronic inflammatory diseases, Tregs are potentially skewed toward pathogenic mechanisms. In this review, we will focus on the differential mechanisms of Treg responses in the lung airways versus interstitium as unique microenvironments by focusing on asthma, acute lung injury/airway respiratory disease syndrome, and interstitial lung disease.



Publication History

Received: 23 April 2025

Accepted: 16 September 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
18 September 2025

Article published online:
10 October 2025

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