• Wangling Hu, Jingyong Li, and Xiang Cheng.
• Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China.
• Chin. Med. J. 2023 Dec 5; 136 (23): 281228232812-2823.

AbstractInflammation is a major underlying mechanism in the progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are typical immune regulatory cells with recognized immunosuppressive properties. Despite the immunosuppressive properties, researchers have acknowledged the significance of Tregs in maintaining tissue homeostasis and facilitating repair/regeneration. Previous studies unveiled the heterogeneity of Tregs in the heart and aorta, which expanded in CVDs with unique transcriptional phenotypes and reparative/regenerative function. This review briefly summarizes the functional principles of Tregs, also including the synergistic effect of Tregs and other immune cells in CVDs. We discriminate the roles and therapeutic potential of Tregs in CVDs such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, abdominal arterial aneurysm, pulmonary arterial hypertension, Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Tregs not only exert anti-inflammatory effects but also actively promote myocardial regeneration and vascular repair, maintaining the stability of the local microenvironment. Given that the specific mechanism of Tregs functioning in CVDs remains unclear, we reviewed previous clinical and basic studies and the latest findings on the function and mechanism of Tregs in CVDs.Copyright © 2023 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.

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