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Regulatory T cells

Expanding TReg cell numbers in vivo

Nature Reviews Immunology volume 14, page 648 (2014)Cite this article

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There is great interest in harnessing the suppressive powers of regulatory T (TReg) cells in the clinic. Although it is possible to numerically expand TReg cells ex vivo, concerns over their purity and stability remain. An alternative approach is to expand pre-existing populations of TReg cells in vivo. This study showed that a monoclonal antibody specific for CD45RB (which has a role in T cell receptor signalling) increased the frequency and absolute number of TReg cells in mice. This increase required the presence of cognate antigen and was due to homeostatic proliferation of thymus-derived TReg cells rather than increased thymic output or conversion from effector T cells. CD45RB-specific antibody was shown to inhibit TReg cell motility, thereby increasing the contact time of the cells with dendritic cells. This increased contact time resulted in increased activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), which is required for TReg cell proliferation. These data describe a novel method by which TReg cell numbers may be increased in vivo.

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References

  1. Camirand, G. et al. CD45 ligation expands Tregs by promoting interactions with DCs. J. Clin. Invest. http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI74087 (2014)

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Authors
  1. Olive Leavy
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Leavy, O. Expanding TReg cell numbers in vivo. Nat Rev Immunol 14, 648 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nri3751

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