Suppression of glomerulonephritis in NZB/NZW lupus prone mice by adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded regulatory T cells.

ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by expansion of autoreactive lymphocytes. Regulatory T cells (T(regs)) are a component of the normal immune system and contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. T(reg) abnormalities have been associated with several autoimmune diseases and there is interest in the role of T(regs) in SLE. We previously demonstrated that transfer of expanded CD4(+)CD25(+)CD62L(HI) T(regs) slows the development of lupus in (NZBxNZW)F(1) (B/W) mice. However in the absence of T(reg) specific surface antigens, cell purification remains a compromise between the breadth and purity of the population isolated. Importantly, purified populations always contain Foxp3(-) effector T cells (T(effs)) that theoretically c

SUBMITTER: Scalapino KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696596 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature