CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and graft-versus-host disease

Semin Hematol. 2006 Jan;43(1):62-9. doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2005.09.006.

Abstract

Peripheral suppression of autoreactive T cells by specialized T-cell populations is one of several mechanisms ensuring self-tolerance within the adaptive immune system. Thymus-derived CD4+CD25+ T cells expressing the transcriptional repressor FOXP3 mediate such immunoregulatory functions and are pivotal for the prevention of autoimmunity. As peripheral tolerance induction is a prerequisite for successful treatment outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the role of CD4+CD25+ T cells in transplantation models and clinical trials is now under investigation in many laboratories. Here we summarize recent results regarding protection from graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by adoptively transferred CD4+CD25+ T cells in mice and discuss early findings from clinical studies in HSCT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2