[Regulatory T cells and their influence in kidney allograft survival].
The immune response elicited by an allogenic transplant usually leads to an effector response resulting in allograft rejection; however, some individuals maintain a long-term functioning transplant without signs of rejection (operational tolerance) even in the absence of immunosuppression. It has been suggested that the same mechanisms are responsible for tolerance to self-antigens and alloantigens. One of such mechanisms is immune regulation and several cell subsets with regulatory properties have been identified. Among them, the best characterized cell populations are the regulatory T cells (Treg). Although Treg in mice are CD4+CD25+, in humans the Treg phenotype is restricted to CD4 T cells with high expression of CD25 (CD25high) and Foxp3. Phenotypic and functional analysis of circulating regulatory or suppressor T cells in transplant patients may be useful for detection of operationally tolerant patients. Moreover, future in vitro manipulation of these cells with therapeutic purposes could lead to accomplish induction of in vivo tolerance in clinical transplantation. Herein, we review the experimental and clinical evidence for the role of regulatory cells in transplant biology.
Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética, Facultad de Medicina, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Sonia Y
SY
Velásquez
Luis F
LF
García
Cristiam M
CM
Alvarez
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell