Priming regulatory T cells and antigen-specific suppression of autoimmune disease

Abstract

It is now widely recognized that regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in protecting the body from autoimmune diseases. T cells with suppressor activity have been identified in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations in humans and animal models of inflammatory disease. Here we provide a brief review of the field of T cell suppression with special emphasis on CD8+ T cell-mediated regulation of immune responses to self. We focus on the role of CD8+ Treg in the control of myelin basic protein-reactive T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model for human multiple sclerosis. We address how Treg can be specifically induced to downregulate an immune response. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.