title: In vitro generation of human T regulatory cells: generation, culture, and analysis of FOXP3-transduced T cells.
abstract: T regulatory cells (Tregs) suppress immune responses and therefore have potential to be used in the clinic as a cellular therapy for autoimmune disease and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs. Obtaining sufficient numbers of these cells for therapeutic use is a challenge, however, since there are currently no Treg cell-specific markers, and they have a poor in vitro expansion potential. Tregs express high levels of FOXP3, a transcription factor that is critical for their function. We have shown that lentivirus-based overexpression of FOXP3 can reprogram naïve or memory human CD4(+) T cells into cells which possess a phenotype and function similar to ex vivo Tregs. Here we will review the methodology involved in generating, expanding, and testing FOXP3-transduced cells and their ex vivo Treg counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Alicia N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: McMurchy
authors.forename: Megan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Levings
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens