title: Therapeutic potential of Tregs to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: There is accumulating evidence for regulatory T cell defects in rheumatoid arthritis and that some biologic interventions, in particular anti-TNF, can target this population. Despite the challenges in defining regulatory T cells in patients, there are a number of approaches currently being developed to utilise their potent immunosuppressive properties. Through genetic manipulation Tregs can be generated ex vivo or in vivo that target antigens present in the inflamed joint. Here we discuss these approaches, their refinement to restore tolerance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and strategies to prevent their conversion towards a Th17 phenotype.
authors: Centre for Rheumatology Research, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, United Kingdom. graham.wright@ucl.ac.uk
authors: Graham P
authors: GP
authors: Wright
authors: Hans J
authors: HJ
authors: Stauss
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Ehrenstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D017634:Self Tolerance; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*