title: Regulatory T cells in graft-versus-host disease.
abstract: Alloreactive T cells present in a bone marrow transplant are responsible for graft-vs-host disease, but their depletion is associated with impaired engraftment, immunosuppression, and loss of the graft-vs-leukemia effect. The subpopulation of CD4(+)CD25(+) immunoregulatory T cells was first identified based on its crucial role in the control of autoimmune processes, but they also play a role in alloreactive responses. Moreover, these cells could be used to develop innovative strategies in the field of transplantation and particularly to prevent graft-vs-host disease. Indeed, high numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+) immunoregulatory T cells can modulate graft-vs-host disease if administered at the same time as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. This review discusses various important issues regarding the possible use of CD4(+)CD25(+) immunoregulatory T cells to modulate alloreactivity in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Biologie et Thérapeutique des Pathologies Immunitaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7087, Paris, France. benoit.salomon@chups.jussieu.fr
authors.forename: Benoît L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.forename: Muriel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudres
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*