Regulatory T-cell therapy in the induction of transplant tolerance

Abstract

Organ transplantation remains the only fundamental treatment for end-stage organ failure. Immunosuppression therapy is the key to successful post-transplantation outcomes. Although the survival after organ transplantation has improved with the development of immunosuppressant, chronic rejection and side effects of long-term exposure to immunosuppression remain ongoing concerns. Immune tolerance is important for normal physiology, and occurs in two forms: central and peripheral. The regulatory T cell is the essential constituent in peripheral tolerance. Regulatory T cells specialize in suppressing immune responses, including autoimmune disease, allergy or alloreaction. Regulatory T-cell therapy in transplantation may be emerging as an alternative therapeutic choice.