capable of double negative thymocyte double negative T regulatory cell A double negative thymocyte that is CD3-positive, CD4-negative, CD8-negative, that that are present in the periphery in very low numbers and predominantly produce INF-gamma, TNF-alpha, and a low amount of TGF-beta, but not IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 or IL-13 upon activation. https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0011024 double-negative alpha-beta regulatory T cell CD4-negative, CD8-negative, alpha-beta regulatory T cells DN Treg Double-negative T regulatory cells (DN Tregs) are a distinct subset of immune cells identified by their lack of CD4 and CD8 surface markers, typical of conventional T cells. The primary role of DN Tregs is to modulate immune responses and maintain immune homeostasis by controlling the threshold of responsiveness. This prevents the risk of overreactions leading to conditions like autoimmunity. Their mechanism involves secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), inhibiting effector T cell function and potentially enhancing other regulatory T cells. Dysregulation or dysfunction of DN Tregs has been linked to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, making them significant targets for therapeutic strategies. Ongoing studies also explore their role in cancer progression and control due to their immunosuppressive properties. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) negative regulation of immune response