Notch signaling pathway and transplantation immunology

Abstract

Notch signaling pathway plays a key role in the development and fate of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, and may be a therapeutic target in alloimmunity.In this paper, we reviewed the functions of Notch signaling pathway in the activation and differentiation of T lymphocyte and formation of memory T cell subsets, and its role in the alloimmunity.Selective inhibition of multiple Notch receptors and ligands in a solid organ transplantation model can successfully modulate the allograft immune response and influence the balance between immune effector cells and regulatory cells, which suggests that selective targeting of Notch signaling pathway is expected to become a new immunomodulatory therapy for organ transplantation. Key words: Notch; Signaling pathway; Alloimmunity; Rejection; T lymphocytes