What distinguishes Treg cells from other T cells?

Treg cells, or regulatory T cells, play a crucial role in the immune system by helping to maintain immune tolerance, which is essential for preventing autoimmune diseases and excessive immune responses. Unlike other T cells that primarily function to attack and eliminate infected or cancerous cells, Treg cells specifically help to suppress immune responses and regulate the activity of other immune cells.

This functionality allows Treg cells to prevent the immune system from mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues, thereby maintaining a balanced and healthy immune response. Their ability to produce immunosuppressive cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-beta, further contributes to their role in promoting tolerance.

In contrast, while some T cells can produce cytokines, their primary functions differ from those of Treg cells. Other T cell types, such as cytotoxic T cells, are primarily involved in directly killing infected or cancerous cells rather than promoting tolerance. B lymphocytes, on the other hand, are a different type of immune cell responsible for antibody production and do not possess the regulatory functions characteristic of Treg cells.