Definition

Inducible regulatory T-lymphocytes that express CD4, CD25 (the alpha chain of the interleukin 2 receptor) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), with potential immunomodulating activity. Inducible CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (iTregs) are a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes that are induced from CD25- precursors in peripheral lymphoid organs with interleukin-2 and transforming growth factor-beta. These regulatory T cells are essential in maintaining immunologic homeostasis. They may also prevent autoimmunity by suppressing self-reactive T cells, and may induce tolerance to allogeneic organ transplants such as in hematopoietic stem cell transplants.