Induction of transplantation tolerance—the potential of regulatory T cells

Solid organ transplantation is widely accepted as an effective treatment for end organ failure. Although the treatment with immunosuppressive drugs has undoubtedly greatly improved graft survival, chronic rejection still has considerable impact on long term outcome. This, together with the undesirable side effects associated with life long treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, have significant implications for long term outcomes.In a small number of patients, drug non-compliance as well as controlled reduction or removal of maintenance immune suppressive drug therapy has led to the uncovering of a tolerant state. The challenge of achieving improved monitoring of all transplant patients may allow tailoring of immunosupression in a proportion of recipients thereby increasing the opportunities for the induction of specific unresponsiveness to donor alloantigens in the future. The immune system using several mechanisms to both induce and maintain tolerance to alloantigens, including the deletion of allo-reactive T cells, the induction of anergy, clonal exhaustion, ignorance and active suppression (immunoregulation) of allo-responses. A minor subpopulation of CD4⁺ T cells, regulatory or suppressor CD4⁺ T cells that co-express the cell-surface molecule CD25 (IL2 α subunit) at a high level may play a major role in the maintenance of specific unresponsiveness and operational tolerance to donor antigens in vivo. Intensive investigation of these cells in recent years has started to uncover the mechanisms of active suppression by regulatory T cells in this setting.     

CD4+ CD25+ Tr细胞与大鼠肝移植自发免疫耐受关系的研究

目的研究CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞及其相关基因Foxp3与大鼠肝移植自发免疫耐受的关系。方法双袖套法建立大鼠原位肝移植模型;密度梯度离心法分离肝内淋巴细胞;免疫磁性分离法（MACS）分选CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞,流式细胞术（FCM）检测所得细胞纯度。体外细胞增殖试验研究CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞的免疫抑制作用。Western蛋白印迹法检测CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞Scurfin蛋白表达。结果自发耐受组大鼠移植肝内CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞含量显著高于急性排斥组。混合淋巴细胞反应中,LEW大鼠的脾细胞比DA大鼠自身的脾细胞更能刺激CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞的增殖。CD4^＋CD25^-T细胞能抑制CD4^＋CD25^-T细胞的增殖,当加入外源性IL-2（200U／ml）时,该抑制作用被逆转。结论转录因子Foxp3介导的CD4^＋CD25^＋Tr细胞的免疫抑制作用可能是诱导大鼠肝脏移植自发免疫耐受的机制之一。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、Foxp3 mRNA及可溶性白细胞介素2受体检测在肾移植中的意义

目的 观察肾移植患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞水平及其表面特异性标志物Foxp3和可溶性白细胞介素2受体（sIL-2R）的变化，探讨其在诊断移植肾急性排斥反应中的作用和价值。 方法 选取42例维持性血液透析接受同种异体肾移植治疗的患者及30例健康体检对照者。在患者移植前、移植后1、2、4、8周或发生排斥反应时，以流式细胞仪检测外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞水平；荧光定量PCR检测Foxp3 mRNA表达；双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法（ELISB）检测血浆中sIL-2R水平。 结果 (1)移植后第1、2、4、8周急性排斥反应组CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、Foxp3 mRNA水平明显低于同期未发生排斥的肾功能稳定组，而sIL-2R水平却显著高于肾功能稳定组。(2)血液透析患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞[(9.22±3.53)%]、Foxp3 mRNA[（0.82±0.36）×10-3]及sIL-2R[（856.30±108.24） U/ml]水平与健康对照组[分别为(6.09±1.99)%、(0.50±0.28)×10-3、(247.35±11.24) U/ml]比较，差异均有统计学意义(P < 0.01)。(3)肾移植后随着肾功能的恢复，外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞[(16.53±4.14)%]、Foxp3 mRNA[(4.97±1.94)×10-3]显著升高(P < 0.01)，而sIL-2R[（463.72±31.23）U/ml]水平明显降低(P < 0.01)。(4)当发生急性排斥反应时，CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞[(12.18±2.86)%]、Foxp3 mRNA[(3.15±1.22)×10-3]显著降低(P < 0.01)，而sIL-2R[(748.36±115.41) U/ml]水平明显升高(P < 0.01)，并且这些变化早于Scr的变化。(5)患者移植前后外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分率与Foxp3 mRNA水平均呈正相关（分别为r ＝ 0.904、0.932，P < 0.01），但与sIL-2R水平无相关。 结论 外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、Foxp3 mRNA及sIL-2R水平的测定均可以作为肾移植患者移植后发生急性排斥反应的早期预测指标，并可判断预后。     

Foxp3 regulates human natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T‐cell‐mediated suppression of xenogeneic response

Sun L, Yi S, O’Connell PJ. Foxp3 regulates human natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T‐cell‐mediated suppression of xenogeneic response. Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 121–130. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Backgrounds: Cellular rejection of xenografts is predominantly mediated by CD4+ T cells. Foxp3 expressing human naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (nTregs) have been shown to suppress pathological and physiological immune responses, including the CD4+ T‐cell‐mediated anti‐pig xenogeneic response in vitro. Although Foxp3 is required for nTreg development and their function, the precise role of Foxp3 in regulating Treg suppressive function in xenoimmune response remains to be identified. Methods: In vitro expanded human nTregs were transfected with fluorescein isothiocyanate ‐conjugated Foxp3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) by Lipofectamine 2000. Transfected nTregs were sorted by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, and then analyzed for Foxp3 gene and protein expression as well as their phenotypic characteristics. Human CD4+CD25? T cells were stimulated with xenogeneic pig peripheral blood mononuclear cell in the presence or absence of nTregs in a coculture or transwell system for evaluation of nTreg suppressive activity. The production of effector cytokines by xenoreactive CD4+CD25? T cells as well as suppressive cytokine by nTregs in their cocultures was examined by ELISA. Results: The siRNA‐mediated Foxp3 knockdown resulted in impaired nTreg anergic state, downregulated expression of nTreg function associated molecules, and reduced production of suppressive cytokines by nTregs, which together leading to impaired nTreg‐mediated suppression of CD4+CD25? T‐cell proliferation and their effector cytokine production in response to xenogeneic stimulation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that Foxp3 expression is required for human nTregs to maintain their suppressive function in the xenoimmune response.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞对小鼠肝脏移植自发性免疫耐受的影响

目的 研究CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在诱导自发性肝脏免疫耐受中的作用.方法 向受体和供体注射抗CD25抗体(PC61)后进行小鼠原位肝脏移植,观测其生存时间.术后20～30 d切取移植肝脏行HE染色,同时观察CD4+CD25+T细胞对CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞功能的影响.结果 去除受体而不是供体小鼠的CD4+CD25+T细胞可以导致肝移植排斥反应.而且,去除CD4+CD25+T细胞使移植物的白细胞浸润明显增多,组织损伤加重.同时,去除CD4+CD25+T细胞导致CD4+T细胞的增殖活性和CD8+T细胞的细胞毒活性明显增强.结论 受体来源的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在小鼠肝脏移植免疫耐受诱导中起重要作用.

Abstract：

Objective To examine the contribution of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells to liver transplant tolerance. Methods After injection of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb, PC61), mouse orthotopic liver transplantation was performed and survivals were determined. The paraffin-embedded sections of hepatic allografts were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Furthermore, the effect of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells on proliferative response of CD4+ T cells and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells was examined by depleting these regulatory T cells. Results Depletion of these cells in the recipients but not in the donors before liver transplantation caused rejection. Histological analyses of hepatic allografts with PC61 treatment showed extensive leukocyte infiltration and tissue destruction, whereas those in the control group showed minimal changes. Moreover, elimination of CD4+CD25+ T cells resulted in the enhancement of both proliferative response of CD4+ T cells and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells against donor-type alloantigen. Conclusions These results suggest that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were important for tolerance induction to hepatic allografts.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞/辅助性T细胞17在脓毒症大鼠中的作用

目的 观察CD4+ CD25+调节T细胞(Treg)/辅助性T细胞17(Th17)细胞在脓毒症大鼠炎性免疫反应中的作用.方法 110只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、假手术组、脓毒症(CLP)组,采用改良的盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)制作大鼠脓毒症模型.采用流式细胞术检测CD14+单核细胞表面人类白细胞抗原-DR基因(HLA-DR)表达率、Treg细胞及TH17细胞比例;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-10、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、转化生长因子(TGF)-β、白细胞介素(IL)-17炎性因子蛋白表达.结果 与假手术组比较:(1)伴随着脓毒症病情的发展,大鼠出现明显的免疫抑制,CD14+单核细胞HLA-DR表达率＜30％,IL-10/TNF-α比值(27.41 ±7.04比6.63 ±2.60)明显增高(P＜0.01).(2)术后96 h脓毒症大鼠Treg细胞[(11.91±3.88)％比(6.57±2.60)％,P＜0.01]和Th17细胞[(5.14±0.29)％比(2.85±0.07)％,P＜0.01]表达明显增高.(3)术后96 h脓毒症组前炎性细胞因子IL-6[(42.31±15.89) ng/L比(6.32 ±3.18) ng/L,P＜0.01]、IL-10[(69.89 ±20.78) ng/L比(13.58±5.37) ng/L,P＜0.01]、TNF-α[(5.03±3.10) ng/L比(2.77±1.10) ng/L,P＜0.01]、TGF-β[(4.99±2.01) ng/L比(1.88±1.07) ng/L,P＜0.01]、IL-17[(92.77±11.64) ng/L比(7.58±2.30) ng/L,P＜0.01]表达明显增高.结论 伴随着脓毒症病情的发展,大鼠出现明显的免疫抑制;在大鼠脓毒症的发生发展中,Treg细胞介导的免疫抑制及Th17细胞介导免疫激活反应同时存在;脓毒症细胞因子微环境变化可能是导致Treg细胞/Th17细胞失衡的原因之一.     

大鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞的分离及功能鉴定

目的：研究利用免疫磁珠分选法稳定分离正常大鼠脾脏CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞的方法。方法：采用免疫磁珠两步法分离大鼠脾组织CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞。首先采用藻红蛋白（PE）标记的抗CD25抗体和抗PE多功能磁珠试剂盒阳性分选CD25^＋T细胞,再用抗异硫氰酸荧光素（FITC）标记抗体和抗IgG磁珠阳性分选获得CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞。分离后的细胞经流式细胞仪检测分离纯度,台盼蓝染色检测细胞存活率,体外增殖实验检测其对CD4^＋CD25^-T细胞的免疫抑制作用。结果：两次阳性分选后获得的CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞纯度为（90.4±1.6）%,细胞存活率为（92.6±2.4）%。体外增殖实验表明,CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞能明显抑制CD4^＋CD25^-T细胞的增殖（P〈0.01）。结论：采用免疫磁珠法两次阳性分选,可稳定地获得纯度理想并有免疫抑制功能的大鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞。     

OX40信号调节抑制小鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞Foxp3的表达

目的 探讨共刺激信号OX40对体外诱导的小鼠CD4+ CD25+适应性调节性T淋巴细胞(iTreg)的Foxp3表达的影响.方法 制备C57BL/6小鼠淋巴细胞悬液,经免疫磁珠法分选,获得CD4+ CD25-静息T淋巴细胞,与抗CD3单克隆抗体、抗CD28单克隆抗体、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素2共孵育,诱导产生Foxp3+ iTreg.在此基础上,于培养体系中加入OX40激动型抗体及其对照抗体,利用流式细胞仪分析研究OX40信号刺激对iTreg Foxp3表达的影响.结果 C57BL/6小鼠淋巴结中CD4+ CD25+天然调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg)比例为(5.0±0.4)％,体外诱导培养的CD4+CD25+ Treg比例为(71.8±13.4)％,其中Foxp3阳性表达占(74.9±1.9)％.OX40激动型抗体组CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞比例为(80.0±1.6)％,其中Foxp3表达水平为(59.2±0.7)％;OX40激动型抗体对照抗体组CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞比例为(86.0±1.4)％,其中Foxp3表达水平为(70.0±0.8)％,两组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 静息T淋巴细胞可以在体外诱导培养获得高纯度iTreg;OX40信号刺激可以显著抑制CD25+ iTreg细胞Foxp3的表达.     

外源性IL-2对小鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞影响的实验研究

目的：探讨IL-2对CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞（Tregs）的增殖及功能的影响。方法：提取B6小鼠脾脏细胞,流式细胞仪分离CD4＋CD25＋Tregs,将新鲜分离的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs与抗CD3单克隆抗体、同种同系抗原递呈细胞（APCs）及外源性IL-2共同培养,测定其增殖活性;并检测体外扩增后的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs的免疫抑制活性及其Foxp3的表达。结果：与外源性IL-2共同培养的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs增殖程度强烈,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;体外扩增的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs抑制CD4＋CD25-T细胞增殖活性的能力与新鲜分离的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs相似（P〉0.05）。体外扩增的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs的Foxp3表达与新鲜分离的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs亦相似（P〉0.05）。结论：外源性IL-2能够消除CD4＋CD25＋Tregs的无反应状态,且体外扩增的CD4＋CD25＋Tregs保持了其抑制活性。     

树突状细胞和CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在免疫耐受中的作用及关系

诱导免疫耐受具有高效、低毒、经济等优点,在器官移植中有着极其重要的意义.在建立免疫耐受中,树突状细胞(DC)起到克隆清除、克隆无能、表达T细胞抑制因子、选择性激活辅助T细胞和诱导调节性T细胞尤其是CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的产生等作用.而CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞主要以DC为作用靶点,影响其分化成熟,抑制DC向...     

肾移植患者术后外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的检测及其与瘦素水平的相关性

目的:了解肾移植患者术后外周血中CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞的比例和瘦素水平的变化及其临床意义,探讨CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞与瘦素水平的相关性。方法:应用放射免疫方法检肾移植患者及健康对照者外周血中瘦素的水平,流式细胞术检测外周血中CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞占CD4 T细胞的比例。结果:移植近期组(1年)与对照组患者血浆中瘦素浓度比较无差异,但移植远期组的瘦素浓度(2.5年)高于对照组和移植近期组。且外周血中CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞的比例与瘦素呈显著负相关(r=-0.83,P<0.01)。结论:肾移植术后的远期高瘦素血症可能对CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞具有负性调节作用,也许不利于移植耐受的维持。     

关节置换患者外周血调节T细胞水平变化及其临床意义

目的探讨调节性T细胞(Treg)与关节置换假体植入的关系及临床意义。方法 2009年1月至2009年6月将人工髋关节置换手术患者及同期无假体植入的关节镜手术患者分为两组,用流式细胞仪检测术前及术后3 d外周血Treg水平并进行统计学分析。结果关节置换组术前外周血中Treg的水平为(2.99±1.33),术后为(4.66±1.96),两者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01);非假体植入组术前为(3.36±1.61),术后为(3.47±1.83),两者比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后关节置换组与非假体植入组对比,两组间Treg水平的差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论假体植入体内可使患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞水平显著升高,提示关节置换假体感染引起的免疫反应与单纯组织感染时的免疫反应不同,T细胞能否成为假体感染的病情进展及疗效评估的指标有待进一步研究。     

Regulatory T cells in the induction and maintenance of peripheral transplantation tolerance

It is now possible to induce donor-specific transplantation tolerance in adult rodents using non-depleting monoclonal antibodies against T cell co-receptor and co-stimulation molecules or by immunisation with tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells. It is a common finding of all these models of peripheral tolerance, as well as of various mouse models of autoimmune disease, that regulatory CD4⁺ T cells are the principal mediators. There are currently no specific markers for regulatory T cells, but in some autoimmune models their activity has been associated with the expression of activation markers such as CD25 and CTLA4, or anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β. CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells from both naïve and tolerised donors are able to transfer tolerance to grafts in lymphopenic recipients, and this may be directly applicable to bone-marrow transplantation. The challenge is now to understand the biological principles that allow such immune re-programming so that they can be safely applied to clinical organ grafting.     

CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞与Foxp3表达在白癜风发病中的作用

目的：研究CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞（CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞）与Foxp3基因表达与白癜风发病的关系及可能机制。方法：以确诊为进展期白癜风且治疗显效的24例患者为研究对象,患者确诊符合白癜风诊断及疗效标准。以16例健康志愿者作为对照。应用流式细胞术检测正常对照、白癜风患者治疗前后各自外周血中CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的比例。采用密度梯度离心法从治疗前后的外周血中提取单个核细胞,以逆转录聚合酶链扩增方法检测其中Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平。结果：进展期且治疗显效的24例白癜风患者外周血中CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的比例以及CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞在总CD4＋T细胞中所占比例明显均低于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。治疗后显效的进展期白癜风患者CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的比例与治疗前相比明显升高（P〈0．05）,CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞中Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平比治疗也前明显增加（P〈0．05）。结论：进展期白癜风患者体内存在CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的异常,CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞的数量的减少和Foxp3表达的降低所造成的CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞免疫抑制功能爱损可能是白癜风发病的一个因素。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血调节性T细胞对树突状细胞功能的抑制作用

目的研究慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞（Treg）对树突状细胞（DCs）免疫功能的抑制作用,探讨治疗CHB的新方法。方法采用密度梯度离心法获得CHB患者和健康对照组（NC组）外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）;部分PBMC体外诱导培养获得DCs,部分PBMCs用特异性免疫磁珠分选获得CD4＋CD25＋Treg和CD4＋CD25-T细胞;不同来源的DCs和正常对照组CD4＋CD25-T细胞混合为反应细胞,将不同来源和不同比例的Treg分别加入到反应细胞中培养3 d,MTT法检测Treg抑制DCs的抑制指数（SI）,并在培养DCs的不同时间加入Treg,应用流式细胞术检测DCs表面共刺激分子CD80和HLA-DR的表达。结果来源于CHB患者及NC组的Treg均可抑制DCs的免疫作用,来源于CHB患者Treg抑制DCs能力显著高于NC,差异具有统计学意义（P ＜0.01）。不同比例的Treg均可抑制DCs的免疫功能,随着Treg比例的增高抑制作用也越明显,抑制指数亦越高。在DCs培养的不同时间加入相同比例的Treg,发现Treg对DCs表面分子CD80、HLA-DR的表达均有抑制作用,与对照组相比,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,同时发现加入Treg的时间越早,DCs表面分子表达降低越明显。结论 CHB患者Treg可显著抑制DCs免疫功能且呈时间和量的依赖,抑制DCs表面分子CD80和HLA-DR表达,可能是Treg抑制DC免疫功能的机制之一。     

Donor‐Specific CD8+Foxp3+ T Cells Protect Skin Allografts and Facilitate Induction of Conventional CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells

CD4⁺ regulatory T cells play a critical role in tolerance induction in transplantation. CD8⁺ suppressor T cells have also been shown to control alloimmune responses in preclinical and clinical models. However, the exact nature of the CD8⁺ suppressor T cells, their induction and mechanism of function in allogeneic transplantation remain elusive. In this study, we show that functionally suppressive, alloantigen‐specific CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells can be induced and significantly expanded by stimulating naïve CD8⁺ T cells with donor dendritic cells in the presence of IL‐2, TGF‐β1 and retinoic acid. These CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells express enhanced levels of CTLA‐4, CCR4 and CD103, inhibit the up‐regulation of costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells, and suppress CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and cytokine production in a donor‐specific and contact‐dependent manner. Importantly, upon adoptive transfer, the induced CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells protect full MHC‐mismatched skin allografts. In vivo, the CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells preferentially traffic to the graft draining lymph node where they induce conventional CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells and concurrently suppress effector T cell expansion. We conclude that donor‐specific CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ suppressor T cells can be induced and exploited as an effective form of cell therapy for graft protection in transplantation.     

肿瘤坏死因子-α诱导蛋白-8样分子2在调节性T细胞中的表达

目的:观察肿瘤坏死因子-α诱导蛋白-8样分子2(TIPE2)在CD4<'+>CD25<'+>调节性T细胞(CD4<'+>CD25<'+>Treg)中的表达.方法:免疫磁珠法分离正常BALB/C小鼠脾脏CD4<'+>CD25<'+>Tregs,流式细胞术鉴定CD4<'+>CD25<'+>Treg的纯度.激光共聚焦荧光法检...     

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells mediate acquired transplant tolerance

The Holy Grail of clinical organ transplantation is the safe induction of allograft tolerance. Transplant tolerance has been successfully induced in animal models. Since T cells play a pivotal role in graft rejection, modulating T cell function has been the primary focus of studies aimed at inducing transplant tolerance. Rodent models of transplant tolerance induction include central deletion and peripheral mechanisms involving activation-induced cell death (AICD), anergy, immune deviation, and production of regulatory T cells. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. Although clonal deletion and anergy limit self-reactive T cells in the thymus, these mechanisms alone are not sufficient for controlling self-reactive T cells in the periphery. There is now evidence that the adult animal harbors two functionally distinct populations of CD4(+) T cells; one mediates autoimmune disease and the other dominantly inhibits it. The latter cells express CD4, CD25 and CTLA-4. These thymus-derived T cells have recently been shown to mediate the induction and maintenance of transplant tolerance. These CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells are similar in origin, phenotype, and function to those that maintain natural self-tolerance and T cell homeostasis in the periphery. Against this background, is it possible that alloantigen specific regulatory T cells might be generated and expanded ex vivo before organ transplantation and then infused to induce long-term tolerance, perhaps without the need for chronic immunosuppression?