title: Regulatory T cell maintenance of dominant tolerance: induction of tissue self-defense?
abstract: In the last decade there has been an increasing interest for the action of regulatory T cells (Treg) in preventing transplant rejection, autoimmunity and other inflammatory diseases and in maintaining dominant tolerance. It is becoming clear that such regulatory function does not rely simply on direct inhibition of "aggressive" T cells. In fact, several studies suggest that Treg cells may induce changes in the target tissue, promoting a state of "immune privilege" where protective genes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) may have a critical role.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, P1694-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, P2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agua-Doce
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Miguel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D018448:Models, Immunological; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1