Induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance by TGF-β-induced CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells

摘要

Like natural CD4sup+/supCD25sup+/sup Treg cells, TGF-β-induced Treg cells also prevent allograft rejection in MHC-mismatched organ transplantation models. In analyzing this effect with greater detail, we determined that injection of TGF-β-induced, alloactivated CD4sup+/supCD25sup+/sup cells induces antigen-specific immune tolerance emin vivo/em. Increased CD4sup+/supCD25sup+/sup cells in recipients contribute to this immune tolerance. In addition, adoptive transfer of TGF-β-induced CD4sup+/supCD25sup+/sup cells did not result in significant toxic and side effects in recipients. These results indicate that TGF-β-induced, alloactivated CD4sup+/supCD25sup+/sup cells may provide a safe and effective approach to protect MHC-mismatched organ grafts from rejection in a clinical setting.