转录因子Foxp3在肿瘤细胞中的表达及其功能的研究进展

Progress in the expression and function of transcriptional factor Foxp3 in tumor cells

Foxp3是翼状叉头转录因子家族中的成员，Foxp3基因缺陷导致人类X连锁的自身免疫综合征，Foxp3是控制CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞发育分化和功能发挥的关键因子，曾被认为是CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞特异性标记分子。然而目前的研究证实，Foxp3在多种来源的上皮细胞和组织中表达，包括多种肿瘤细胞。Foxp3在肿瘤细胞中的作用及功能存在争议，Foxp3在有些肿瘤中发挥肿瘤抑制子的作用，而在另外一些肿瘤中则与肿瘤的迁移扩散相关。

Foxp3 is a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors. The defect of Foxp3 gene causes an X-linked autoimmune/immunodeficiency syndrome in humans. Foxp3 plays a key role in regulating the development and function of CD4 ^＋CD25 ^＋regulatory T cells. Initially, Foxp3 is thought to be specific for these cell. However, Foxp3 expression has recently been demonstrated in epithelial cells of multiple lineages and tissue origins including tumor ceils. The role of Foxp3 expressed in tumor cells is still controversial. Foxp3 acts as an onco-suppressive factor in some kinds of tumor cells, whereas in others tumor cells, Foxp3 expression is associated with the spread of tumors.