Prospects for induction of tolerance in renal transplantation

Immunological tolerance is the ultimate goal of transplantation immunobiology. Current therapies involve nonspecific immunosuppression with concomitant risks for infection, malignancy, and drug-specific side effects. By inducing specific immune unresponsiveness to the graft it should be possible to maintain transplants without the need for chronic drug administration and without the risk of nonspecific immunosuppression. This review highlights recent progress in the understanding of immunological tolerance, with special attention to the long-term prospects for successful induction of tolerance in renal transplant patients.