Antigen-Specific Tolerance: Clinical and Preclinical Approaches in Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases arise from a breakdown in immune tolerance. This leads to self-reactive immune responses and chronic inflammation. Induction of antigen-specific tolerance offers a targeted approach that restores immune balance without global immunosuppression. We discuss current approaches to therapies that seek to induce tolerance. These include peptide-, immunoglobulin-, carrier-, and cell-based approaches. We review clinical trials and preclinical studies that explore novel strategies for the induction of durable (antigen-specific) tolerance as possible interventions in autoimmune disease.