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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
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Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes
Published on: August 20, 2007
Regulatory T cells: hypes and limitations
Alexandru Schiopu1, Kathryn J Wood
1Transplantation Research Immunology Group, Nuffield Department of Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation
|August 8, 2008
Summary
Regulatory T cells show promise for transplantation tolerance. Advances in characterizing these cells and their therapeutic potential are paving the way for clinical trials, though challenges remain.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Growing interest in regulatory T cell (Treg) physiology and function.
- Tregs are crucial for immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the characterization of Treg subsets.
- Explore the therapeutic potential of Tregs in organ transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Focus on Treg transcription factor Foxp3 expression and acetylation.
- Utilize CD127 and CD45RA markers for Treg identification and phenotyping.
- Investigate the role of Interleukin-35 (IL-35) as an immunosuppressive cytokine.
Main Results:
- Foxp3 expression and acetylation modulate Treg suppressive activity.
- CD127 low expression identifies pure Treg populations.
- CD45RA expression on Tregs indicates a stable in vitro expanded phenotype.
- IL-35 is a novel immunosuppressive cytokine secreted by Tregs.
- Rapamycin may be compatible with Treg-based therapies.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress in establishing Tregs for transplantation therapy.
- First clinical trials with human Tregs are ongoing.
- Limitations and safety concerns require further investigation before widespread clinical application.
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