title: Immunotherapy with regulatory T cells in transplantation.
abstract: Regulatory T cell (Treg)-based immunotherapy is of great interest to induce tolerance in clinical transplantation settings. In fact, the first clinical trials of Treg infusion after stem cell transplantation have recently begun. However, many important issues regarding human Treg immunotherapy are still to be resolved. In this review, we provide a short update on Tregs and elaborate on various strategies for Treg-based immunotherapy. First, infusion of ex vivo-selected naturally occurring Tregs is addressed, with emphasis on Treg isolation, expansion, antigen specificity, homing and stability. Next, the potential of ex vivo-induced Treg transfusion strategies is discussed. Finally, therapies aimed at in vivo increase of Treg numbers or function are addressed. In addition, we summarize the current knowledge on effects of immunosuppressive drugs on Tregs. In the following years, we expect exciting new data regarding the clinical application of Treg immunotherapy in transplantation to be released.
authors.affiliation: Department of Blood Transfusion & Transplantation Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorieke H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Hans J P M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Koenen
authors.forename: Luuk B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hilbrands
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Joosten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents