Role of regulatory T lymphocytes in prevention and treatment of graft versus host disease

Abstract

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Existing strategies to prevent and treat GVHD are defective, and therapies involving the use of regulatory T cell (Treg) to control GVHD have emerged in clinical stage. Treg constitutes a population which is responsible for tolerance of effector T lymphocyte (Teff) to self-tissues in the immune system. Treg prevents autoimmune reactions and decreases the risk of rejection of grafts and GVHD, but may influence the graft versus leukemia (GVL) reaction. In order to explore role of Treg in prevention and treatment of GVHD, authors summarized literatures on recent advances in preventing and treating GVHD with Treg and its influence on GVL based on its biological characteristics. Key words: T-lymphocytes, regulatory; T-Lymphocyte subsets; Graft vs host disease; Graft vs leukemia effect