Tolerance assays: measuring the unknown.
Distinguishing transplant recipients who will benefit from a reduction in, or even the withdrawal of, immunosuppression from those who require intensive, lifelong immunosuppression will be dependent on developing strategies for immune monitoring. Currently, no assays have been shown to accurately predict the development or presence of donor-specific tolerance in humans after transplantation. In this overview we describe and discuss those assays that we believe may be useful for identifying tolerant transplant recipients. Validation of "tolerance" assays will be critical for the safe development of tolerance regimens in humans.
Newell
Kenneth A
KA
The Emory Transplant Center and Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, USA. kenneth_newell@emoryhealthcare.org
Larsen
Christian P
CP
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000639:trends; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D046148:Donor Selection; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D040901:Proteomics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014180:Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents