CD4(+)CD25(+) immunoregulatory T Cells: new therapeutics for graft-versus-host disease

J Exp Med. 2002 Aug 5;196(3):401-6. doi: 10.1084/jem.20020090.

Abstract

CD4(+)CD25(+) immunoregulatory T cells play a pivotal role in preventing organ-specific autoimmune diseases and in tolerance induction to allogeneic organ transplants. We investigated whether these cells could also control graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the main complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we show that the few CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells naturally present in the transplant regulate GVHD because their removal from the graft dramatically accelerates this disease. Furthermore, the addition of freshly isolated CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells at time of grafting significantly delays or even prevents GVHD. Ex vivo-expanded CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells obtained after stimulation by allogeneic recipient-type antigen-presenting cells can also modulate GVHD. Thus, CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells represent a new therapeutic tool for controlling GVHD in allogeneic HSCT. More generally, these results outline the tremendous potential of regulatory T cells as therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / physiology
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2