negative regulation of activated T cell proliferation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that stops, prevents or reduces the rate or extent of activated T cell proliferation. [GOC:go_curators]

Negative regulation of activated T cell proliferation is a complex process that involves a variety of mechanisms designed to prevent excessive immune activation and subsequent tissue damage. It is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. This process is initiated when T cells encounter antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Once activated, T cells undergo clonal expansion to generate a large number of effector T cells that can eliminate the antigen. However, this expansion needs to be tightly controlled to prevent excessive inflammation and collateral damage.

Several key mechanisms contribute to negative regulation of activated T cell proliferation:

1. **Apoptosis:** Activated T cells can undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) after encountering their target antigen. This mechanism ensures that effector T cells are eliminated once the threat is neutralized.
2. **Cytokine-mediated suppression:** Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subset of T cells that actively suppress the proliferation of other T cells. Tregs produce immunosuppressive cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β, which inhibit the activation and proliferation of effector T cells.
3. **Inhibitory receptors:** T cells express various inhibitory receptors that can dampen their activation and proliferation. Examples include CTLA-4, PD-1, and TIM-3. These receptors bind to ligands on APCs or other cells, leading to the inhibition of signaling pathways required for T cell activation.
4. **Metabolic checkpoints:** T cell activation and proliferation require significant metabolic resources. Some inhibitory mechanisms regulate the metabolic pathways required for T cell growth, effectively limiting their proliferation.
5. **Microenvironment:** The environment in which T cells reside can also influence their activation and proliferation. For example, the presence of certain cytokines or the absence of specific costimulatory signals can dampen T cell activation.

These mechanisms work in concert to ensure that the immune response is appropriately controlled and does not spiral out of control. Dysregulation of negative regulation of activated T cell proliferation can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Understanding the intricate mechanisms involved in this process is crucial for developing effective therapies for autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory disorders.'
"

Proteins (7)

Compounds (55)