Expanding human T regulatory cells with the mTOR-inhibitor rapamycin

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:821:279-93. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-430-8_17.

Abstract

CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells are pivotal for the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance in both mice and humans. The possibility to use Treg cells for the treatment of T-cell-mediated diseases has recently gained increasing momentum. However, given the limited amount of circulating FOXP3(+) Treg cells, efficient methods for their ex vivo expansion are highly desirable. Rapamycin allows for in vitro expansion of murine and human FOXP3(+) Treg cells, which maintain their regulatory phenotype and suppressive capacity. Here, we describe in detail the powerful methods for enriching human FOXP3(+) Treg cells starting from unfractionated CD4(+) T cells or for expanding CD25(+)-enriched Treg cells in the presence of rapamycin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Mice
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Sirolimus