Published: 5 October 2025NobelPrize.orgInternational
Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025 Awarded for Discovery of Regulatory T Cells
AQuick answer
Nobel Medicine 2025 to Brunkow, Ramsdell, Sakaguchi for discovering regulatory T cells and Foxp3 gene.
Key facts
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (USA) and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan)
Awarded for discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance and regulatory T cells
Sakaguchi discovered a new class of immune cells (regulatory T cells) in 1995
In 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell identified the Foxp3 gene mutation causing autoimmune diseases in mice and showed human equivalents cause IPEX syndrome
Their discoveries laid the foundation for new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (both USA) and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. Their work identified regulatory T cells that prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own cells.
Sakaguchi discovered a new class of immune cells in 1995. In 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell identified the Foxp3 gene mutation in mice that causes autoimmune diseases and showed human equivalents cause IPEX syndrome. Their discoveries laid the foundation for new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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Mains angle
Q: Discuss the scientific significance of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for the discovery of regulatory T cells and the Foxp3 gene in immunology.
Answer (50 words):
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (USA) and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance through regulatory T cells. Sakaguchi first identified Tregs in 1995; Brunkow and Ramsdell linked the Foxp3 gene mutation to autoimmune IPEX syndrome in 2001.
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Linked questionMedium
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of which cells?
Explanation · Correct answer D
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Brunkow, Ramsdell and Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance through regulatory T cells.
Who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025 and what for?
The **Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025** was awarded to **Mary E. Brunkow**, **Fred Ramsdell** (both USA) and **Shimon Sakaguchi** (Japan) for discovering **regulatory T cells** and the **peripheral immune tolerance** mechanism.
What did Sakaguchi discover in 1995?
**Shimon Sakaguchi** discovered a new class of immune cells — **regulatory T cells (Tregs)** — in 1995, showing they actively suppress autoimmune attacks and are essential for immune self-tolerance.
What is the link between FOXP3 and IPEX syndrome?
In **2001**, **Brunkow and Ramsdell** found that mutations in the **Foxp3 gene** in mice cause severe autoimmune disease, and showed the human equivalent — **FOXP3 mutations** cause **IPEX syndrome** (a fatal multi-organ autoimmune condition).
What treatments have emerged from the Nobel Medicine 2025 research?
The Treg discovery laid the foundation for treatments targeting **cancer** (reducing Tregs to unleash anti-tumour immunity) and **autoimmune diseases** — including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is peripheral immune tolerance and why is it important?
**Peripheral immune tolerance** is the ability of the immune system to tolerate the body's own tissues outside the thymus. **Regulatory T cells** are the key mechanism — without them, the immune system attacks self, causing autoimmune diseases.
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