Antigen-specific induction of regulatory T cells for type 1 diabetes therapy

Since their discovery decades ago, regulatory T (Treg) cells have prompted many investigations into their potential role in the generation or prevention of autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). Initially identified based on their ability to maintain tolerance to self-antigens in peripheral organs, Treg cells have since been efficiently induced therapeutically and shown to prevent the progression of T1D as well as other autoimmune diseases. Beneficial modification of immunity through the induction of Treg cells has been successfully achieved by antigen-based therapy as well as non-antigen-specific (systemic) treatments. In the current article, we review different strategies that have proved effective in preventing autoimmune diabetes and analyze them with respect to translation into clinical applications. Current evidence indicates that antigen-specific induction of potent regulatory mechanisms is influenced by the systemic milieu, suggesting that systemic modulation might be an essential prerequisite for antigen-based therapy and the successful maintenance or reestablishment of tolerance.