Promoting antigen-specific immunological tolerance in autoimmune diabetes

The non-redundant role of Foxp3-expressing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in maintaining immune homeostasis is best exemplified by the highly aggressive and fatal autoimmune disorder that develops in humans and mice in the absence of functional Treg. On the other hand, promoting antigen-specific Treg by expanding preformed Treg or by artificially de novo generating Treg with desired antigen specificities offers exciting possibilities to suppress undesired immunity. In addition to the thymus, accumulating evidence indicates that agonist ligand presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) can result in Treg de novo…