Epigenetic locking of Foxp3 in Tregs

Stable regulatory T cells fully demethylate a conserved foxp3 region; TGF-β–induced Tregs do not.

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Master factor?

Foxp3 in regulatory T cells.

Stable expression evidence?

Transferred Tregs stay Foxp3+.

Epigenetic difference?

foxp3 CpGs demethylated in Tregs.

Histone state in Tregs?

Open marks (acetyl-H3/H4, H3K4me3).

Conserved element?

Differentially methylated region is conserved.

Thymic stage?

Partial demethylation in CD25+ CD4 SP thymocytes.

TGF-β–induced Tregs?

Only weak demethylation.

After restimulation without TGF-β?

Foxp3 and suppression can be lost.

Transcriptional activity?

Conserved element drives luciferase after stimulation.

Takeaway?

Epigenetic fixation stabilizes Treg identity.