CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes and regulation of the immune system: perspectives for a pathophysiological understanding of sepsis

Abstract

The systemic inflammatory response represents the core pathogenic event of sepsis, underlying clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in patients. Numerous studies have shown that CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes, also known as regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg), participate in the development of sepsis due to their ability to suppress the immune response. The present article discusses the role of Treg lymphocytes in sepsis based on a specific search strategy (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences / Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde - LILACS, PubMed, and Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO) focusing on two main topics: the participation of Treg cells in inflammation and immunity as well as perspectives in the computational physiological investigation of sepsis.