Pathogen specific T-lymphocytes for the reconstitution of the immunocompromised host

Cellular immune functions are impaired in hemopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation or in cancer and autoimmune diseases treated with intensified immunosuppression. Thus, control of opportunistic pathogens is lost and severe infections break out. Defective cellular immunity can be restored upon endogenous immunoreconstitution or, if delayed, exogenous immunoreconstitution with pathogen specific T-lymphocytes selected or expanded from appropriate donors can be applied. Here we describe how recent developments in basic immunology knowledge and techniques have accelerated progresses of clinical trials in this attractive field. In particular, methods for the identification of appropriate antigens, for selection and expansion of specific T-cells and for safer manipulation of cellular products have been applied with promising advances. Finally, the development of biobanks of specific T-cells is described as an attractive perspective to reconstruct pathogen specific cellular immunity.