title: Regulatory immune cells and functions in autoimmunity and transplantation immunology.
abstract: In physiological circumstances, various tolerogenic mechanisms support the protection of self-structures during immune responses. However, quantitative and/or qualitative changes in regulatory immune cells and mediators can evoke auto-reactive immune responses, and upon susceptible genetic background, along with the presence of other concomitant etiological factors, autoimmune disease may develop. In transplant immunology, tolerogenic mechanisms are also critical, since the balance between of alloantigen-reactive effector cells and the regulatory immune cells will ultimately determine whether a graft is accepted or rejected. Better understanding of the immunological tolerance and the potential modulations of immune regulatory processes are crucial for developing effective therapies in autoimmune diseases as well as in organ transplantation. In this review, we focus on the novel insights regarding the impaired immune regulation and other relevant factors contributing to the development of auto-reactive and graft-reactive immune responses in autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection, respectively. We also address some promising approaches for modification of immune-regulatory processes and tolerogenic mechanisms in autoimmunity and solid organ transplantation, which may be beneficial in future therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zs. str. 22. Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papp
authors.affiliation: Recanati/Miller Transplant Institute, Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10129, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boros
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immune Regulation, Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20. Oslo N-0027, Norway.
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nakken
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immune Regulation, Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20. Oslo N-0027, Norway.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szodoray
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zs. str. 22. Debrecen H-4032, Hungary. Electronic address: zeher@iiibel.dote.hu.
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeher
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Autoimmunity; Regulatory cells; Systemic autoimmune diseases; Tolerance induction; Transplant rejection