Table 2. Possible mechanisms of age-related expansion of Tregs.
The expansion of naturally occurring Tregs with advancing age could be due to a number of reasons listed here.
Possible Mechanisms of Age-related Expansion of Tregs |
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Loss of naïve T cells opens “space” |
Changes in Treg homing patterns |
Increased conversion of CD4 T effector cells into CD4 T suppressor cells |
Antigen-induced expansion of CD4 Treg cells |
Survival advantage of CD4 Tregs compared to CD4 T effector cells |