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Regulatory T cells in human disease and their potential for therapeutic manipulation
Author(s) -
Taams Leonie S.,
Palmer Donald B.,
Akbar Arne N.,
Robinson Douglas S.,
Brown Zarin,
Hawrylowicz Catherine M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02348.x
Subject(s) - immunology , disease , regulatory t cell , immunity , inflammation , regulatory b cells , human disease , biology , immune system , function (biology) , immunotherapy , t cell , medicine , interleukin 10 , microbiology and biotechnology , il 2 receptor , pathology
Summary Regulatory T cells are proposed to play a central role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance in the periphery, and studies in many animal models demonstrate their capacity to inhibit inflammatory pathologies in vivo . At a recent meeting [Clinical Application of Regulatory T Cells, 7–8 April 2005, Horsham, UK, organized by the authors of this review, in collaboration with the British Society for Immunology and Novartis] evidence was discussed that certain human autoimmune, infectious and allergic diseases are associated with impaired regulatory T‐cell function. In contrast, evidence from several human cancer studies and some infections indicates that regulatory T cells may impair the development of protective immunity. Importantly, certain therapies, both those that act non‐specifically to reduce inflammation and antigen‐specific immunotherapies, may induce or enhance regulatory T‐cell function. The purpose of this review was to summarize current knowledge on regulatory T‐cell function in human disease, and to assess critically how this can be tailored to suit the therapeutic manipulation of immunity.