(Journal Article): In vitro-expanded antigen-specific regulatory T cells suppress autoimmune diabetes.
 
Tang Q, Henriksen KJ, Bi M, Finger EB, Szot G, Ye J, Masteller EL, McDevitt H, Bonyhadi M, Bluestone JA (UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, 94143, USA.)
 
IN: J Exp Med 2004; 199(11):1455-1465
Impact Factor(s) of J Exp Med: 14.588 (2004), 15.302 (2003), 15.34 (2001)

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ABSTRACT: The low number of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), their anergic phenotype, and diverse antigen specificity present major challenges to harnessing this potent tolerogenic population to treat autoimmunity and transplant rejection. In this study, we describe a robust method to expand antigen-specific Tregs from autoimmune-prone nonobese diabetic mice. Purified CD4+ CD25+ Tregs were expanded up to 200-fold in less than 2 wk in vitro using a combination of anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and interleukin 2. The expanded Tregs express a classical cell surface phenotype and function both in vitro and in vivo to suppress effector T cell functions. Most significantly, small numbers of antigen-specific Tregs can reverse diabetes after disease onset, suggesting a novel approach to cellular immunotherapy for autoimmunity.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original article

Articles citing this article:

• Thomas D, Zaccone P, Cooke A. The Role of Regulatory T Cell Defects in Type I Diabetes and the Potential of these Cells for Therapy. Rev Diabetic Stud 2005. 2: 9-18.
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