Abstract
Recently, we have discovered a new type of regulatory T (Treg) cell, designated HOZOT, by co-culturing human umbilical cord blood cells with mouse stromal cell lines. There are three unique characteristics of HOZOT ; the first one is the induction method using the unfractionated cell population, the second is a phenotype of CD4+CD8+, the third is a multifunctional property of killer, suppressor, and helper activities. HOZOT can be defined as a new type of Treg cells because of its immunosuppressive activity in allogeneic MLR and of its phenotype and functions distinct from conventional Treg cells. HOZOT exerts cytotoxic activities against mouse stromal cells as well as human tumor cells such as colon carcinoma. Moreover, IL-10/RANTES/IL-8 are defined as signature cytokines of HOZOT due to the remarkably high production of them. Given the unique properties of HOZOT, especially anti-tumor and immunosuppressive activities, HOZOT should be utilized for clinical application for the treatment of cancer and immunological disorders.
