Regulatory T cells and transplantation tolerance

Hum Immunol. 2006 Oct;67(10):765-76. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2006.07.013. Epub 2006 Aug 24.

Abstract

In the past decade, several types of regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been identified to play a pivotal role in the control of autoimmunity and transplantation tolerance in rodents and in human beings, including innate regulatory NKT cells and gammadelta T cells, naturally occurring FoxP3 expressing CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, and in-vitro induced Tregs including interleuking-10 (IL-10)-secreting Tr1 CD4(+) T cells, TGF-beta-producing Th3 CD4(+) T cells, anergic CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+)CD28(-) and CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells. Recent studies have shown that innate and adaptive Tregs may be linked and act in concert to mediate immunosuppression. As our understanding of regulatory T cell populations has substantially advanced, compelling evidence support the prospect that in-vitro expanded, patient-tailored Tregs with indirect anti-donor allospecificity could be potential reagents as adoptive cell therapy for individualized medicine to promote clinical transplantation tolerance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transplantation Tolerance / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD