The kinetics of T regulatory cells in shock: beyond sepsis

During the past decade, there have been an increasing number of studies investigating the precise role of T regulatory cells in human disease. First recognized for their ability to prevent autoimmunity, T regulatory cells control effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and innate immune cells by several different suppressive mechanisms, like cell to cell contact, secretion of inhibitory cytokines and cytolysis. This suppressive function of T regulatory cells could contribute in a similar way to the profound immune dysfunction seen in critical illness whether the latter is due to sepsis or severe injury.