Tregs in SLE: an Update

Purpose of review: There has been great interest in understanding why T regulatory cells (Tregs) are reduced in number and/or in function in several autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although research has provided some answers, there is still much to learn. Recent findings: Recent investigations on the mechanisms responsible for the impairment of the Tregs in SLE have identified relevant abnormalities in cellular and molecular pathways that have been instrumental in the design of studies in animal models and in the development of pilot immunotherapeutic studies in lupus patients. We review the progress made in the field in the last 5 years, discussing the mechanistic studies, together with the preclinical and clinical works that are moving forward the understanding of the physiopathology of Tregs in SLE.