Graft-versus-host disease.
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) is a curative therapy for haematological malignancies and inherited disorders of blood cells, such as sickle-cell anaemia. Mature alphabeta T cells that are contained in the allografts reconstitute T-cell immunity and can eradicate malignant cells in the recipient. Unfortunately, these T cells recognize the recipient as 'non-self' and employ a wide range of immune mechanisms to attack recipient tissues in a process known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The full therapeutic potential of allogeneic haematopoietic SCT will not be realized until approaches to minimize GVHD, while maintaining the positive contributions of donor T cells, are developed. This Review focuses on research in mouse models pursued to achieve this goal.
Shlomchik
Warren D
WD
Yale University School of Medicine, sections of Medical Oncology and Immunobiology, PO BOX 208032, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. warren.shlomchik@yale.edu
D000818:Animals; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice