Topper’s Copy

GS3

Science & Technology

10 marks

Discuss the significance of the discovery of regulatory T cells and the FOXP3 gene in understanding peripheral immune tolerance and its implications for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

icon

Score:

6/10

0
3
6
10

Demand of the Question

  • Discuss the significance of discovery of regulatory T cells
  • Discuss the significance of FOXP3 gene discovery
  • Their role in peripheral immune tolerance
  • Implications for treating autoimmune diseases
  • Implications for treating cancer

What you wrote:

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified as a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells that plays crucial role in maintaining Peripheral immune tolerance. It is the ability of the immune system to prevent attacking self body's cells. The discovery of FOXP3 gene, the regulator marked a milestone in global immunology, transforming immune balance, and cancer biology. This impacts influence millions affected by immune related disorder worldwide.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified as a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells that plays crucial role in maintaining Peripheral immune tolerance. It is the ability of the immune system to prevent attacking self body's cells. The discovery of FOXP3 gene, the regulator marked a milestone in global immunology, transforming immune balance, and cancer biology. This impacts influence millions affected by immune related disorder worldwide.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can start with a hook about the rising prevalence of autoimmune diseases (e.g., affecting approximately 5-7% of the global population)
  • Could mention the historical context (e.g., discovery of Tregs in 1995 followed by FOXP3 identification in 2003 revolutionizing immunology)

What you wrote:

[DRAWING:
A flowchart showing the process:
Antigen presenting cell ↓
Activate CD4+ T cells
This branches into two paths:
Path 1: ↓
Effector T cell (Attack response)
Path 2: ↓
Regulatory T cell (Controlled response) → FOXP3 Gene
The FOXP3 Gene branches into two outcomes:
Outcome 1: → Immune tolerance
Outcome 2: → Prevents autoimmunity, maintains immune balance
]
SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCOVERY

① Prevention of Autoimmunity: Prevents immune attacks on body's own cells.
Eg FOXP3 gene mutation causes IPEX Syndrome.

② Maintenance of immune balance: Tregs maintain equilibrium between immune activation and suppression.
Eg Forms 5-10% CD4+ T cells.

③ Foundation of new therapies: Discovery paved the way that modulate Treg activity.
Eg Treg enhancement in Type 1 diabetes, Cancer immunotherapy.

[DRAWING:
A flowchart showing the process:
Antigen presenting cell ↓
Activate CD4+ T cells
This branches into two paths:
Path 1: ↓
Effector T cell (Attack response)
Path 2: ↓
Regulatory T cell (Controlled response) → FOXP3 Gene
The FOXP3 Gene branches into two outcomes:
Outcome 1: → Immune tolerance
Outcome 2: → Prevents autoimmunity, maintains immune balance
]
SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCOVERY

① Prevention of Autoimmunity: Prevents immune attacks on body's own cells.
Eg FOXP3 gene mutation causes IPEX Syndrome.

② Maintenance of immune balance: Tregs maintain equilibrium between immune activation and suppression.
Eg Forms 5-10% CD4+ T cells.

③ Foundation of new therapies: Discovery paved the way that modulate Treg activity.
Eg Treg enhancement in Type 1 diabetes, Cancer immunotherapy.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can explain FOXP3's role as master regulator (e.g., controls development and function of Tregs by activating genes necessary for suppressive function)
  • Could include specific mechanisms of Treg-mediated suppression (e.g., production of inhibitory cytokines like IL-10, TGF-β)
  • Can mention recent discoveries in Treg biology (e.g., tissue-resident Tregs maintaining local immune homeostasis)

What you wrote:

APPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES

① Targeted Autoimmune therapies: Tregs based therapy restores immune tolerance in Type 1 diabetes.

② Cancer immunotherapy: Tregs inhibition boosts anti-tumor response.

③ Challenges include balance between over activation causes autoimmunity and excess tolerance fosters tumors.

APPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES

① Targeted Autoimmune therapies: Tregs based therapy restores immune tolerance in Type 1 diabetes.

② Cancer immunotherapy: Tregs inhibition boosts anti-tumor response.

③ Challenges include balance between over activation causes autoimmunity and excess tolerance fosters tumors.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can include specific therapeutic strategies (e.g., low-dose IL-2 therapy for selective Treg expansion in autoimmune diseases)
  • Could mention ongoing clinical trials (e.g., CAR-Treg therapy for organ transplantation tolerance)
  • Can discuss emerging therapeutic approaches (e.g., bispecific antibodies targeting Tregs in cancer treatment)

What you wrote:

The Treg-FOXP3 discovery revolutionized immunology by linking tolerance with therapy. Emerging technologies like CAR-Treg engineering, CRISPR-FOXP3 editing aim for precise, context-specific immune modulation, paving the way for treatments in autoimmunity, cancer and organ transplantation.

The Treg-FOXP3 discovery revolutionized immunology by linking tolerance with therapy. Emerging technologies like CAR-Treg engineering, CRISPR-FOXP3 editing aim for precise, context-specific immune modulation, paving the way for treatments in autoimmunity, cancer and organ transplantation.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could emphasize the potential of personalized medicine approaches (e.g., patient-specific Treg therapy based on FOXP3 expression profiles)
  • Can mention the need for continued research in understanding Treg plasticity and stability for better therapeutic outcomes

Marks: 6/10

Demand of the Question

  • Discuss the significance of discovery of regulatory T cells
  • Discuss the significance of FOXP3 gene discovery
  • Their role in peripheral immune tolerance
  • Implications for treating autoimmune diseases
  • Implications for treating cancer

What you wrote:

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified as a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells that plays crucial role in maintaining Peripheral immune tolerance. It is the ability of the immune system to prevent attacking self body's cells. The discovery of FOXP3 gene, the regulator marked a milestone in global immunology, transforming immune balance, and cancer biology. This impacts influence millions affected by immune related disorder worldwide.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified as a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells that plays crucial role in maintaining Peripheral immune tolerance. It is the ability of the immune system to prevent attacking self body's cells. The discovery of FOXP3 gene, the regulator marked a milestone in global immunology, transforming immune balance, and cancer biology. This impacts influence millions affected by immune related disorder worldwide.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can start with a hook about the rising prevalence of autoimmune diseases (e.g., affecting approximately 5-7% of the global population)
  • Could mention the historical context (e.g., discovery of Tregs in 1995 followed by FOXP3 identification in 2003 revolutionizing immunology)

More Challenges

View All
  • GS2

    Indian Polity

    29 Nov, 2025

    Critically examine the Election Commission’s stance on simultaneous elections in India, especially with reference to the basic structure doctrine and election-related institutional mechanisms.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Governance

    Yesterday

    Critically examine the limitations of the POSH Act in addressing sexual harassment in educational institutions, especially in cases involving power imbalance and emotional manipulation. Suggest reforms.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Indian Polity

    27 Nov, 2025

    With the rise of deepfake technologies and AI-generated content, discuss the challenges they pose to personality rights in India. Evaluate the adequacy of existing legal frameworks and suggest measures to ensure stronger protection.

    View Challenge
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.

Download the App

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited