Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 have a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and prevention of autoimmunity. Recent advances in single cell analyses have revealed a range of Treg cell activation and differentiation states in different human pathologies. Here we review recent progress in the understanding of human Treg cell heterogeneity and function. We discuss these findings within the context of concepts in Treg cell development and function derived from preclinical models and insight from approaches targeting Treg cells in clinical settings. Distinguishing functional Treg cells from other T cells and understanding the context-dependent function(s) of different Treg subsets will be crucial to the development of strategies toward the selective therapeutic manipulation of Treg cells in autoimmunity and cancer.

表达转录因子Foxp3的调节性T（Treg）细胞在维持免疫稳态和预防自身免疫中起关键作用。单细胞分析的最新进展揭示了不同人类病理学中的Treg细胞活化和分化状态的范围。在这里，我们回顾对人类Treg细胞异质性和功能的理解的最新进展。我们将在Treg细胞发育和功能的概念的背景下讨论这些发现，这些功能来自临床前模型以及在临床环境中针对Treg细胞的方法的见识。