FOXP3

Bio-Techne brands Novus Biologicals® and R&D Systems® were proud to support the 2nd International Antibody Validation Meeting held at Bath University, on the 15-16 September, 2016. Almost 100 participants from around the world, including funders, publishers, academics, pharma and antibody manufacturers were in attendance, to share and discuss best practices in research antibody validation and to drive improved antibody validation standards for the global life science community.

Is has been established that the regulatory transcription factor FOXP3 (a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors) is imperative to immune system homeostasis through CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell function.  Distinctively, FOXP3 binds to specific regions of DNA to modulate the activity of genes that are involved in regulating the immune system.  Interruption of FOXP3 activity leads to autoimmune disorder, due to Treg cells not having their full ability to act as an immune system balancer.

FOXP3, a member of forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors acts as a "master" regulator for the development and suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Its constitutive expression is necessary for the suppressive function of Tregs, and mutation or deficiency of FOXP3 leads to development of autoimmune diseases (1). FOXP3 expression has also been reported in a variety of solid tumors, including melanoma.

FOXP3, a forkhead family transcription factor specially expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells, controls the expression of many key immune-regulatory genes. Treg cells are a population of T lymphocytes that have critical roles in the immune system homeostasis and tolerance to self and foreign antigens, the body's response to cancer and infectious agents.