Hepatocellular carcinoma in viral and autoimmune liver diseases: Role of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the immune microenvironment

Figure 2 Regulatory T cells are recognized as CD4+CD25high positive and Foxp3+ expressing cells. They feature a range of other phenotypic markers such as T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains, glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4, programmed cell-death 1 receptor, V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation, lymphocyte activation gene-3, T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3. Upon activation, Tregs release the inhibitory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor β and IL-35. TCR: T-cell receptor; IL: Interleukin; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor β; TIGIT: T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains; VISTA: V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation; LAG3: Lymphocyte activation gene-3; GITR: Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein; TIM3: T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3; CTLA-4: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4; PD-1: Programmed cell-death 1 receptor.