A role for regulatory T cells in acceptance of ESC-derived tissues transplanted across an major histocompatibility complex barrier

Stem Cells. 2010 Oct;28(10):1905-14. doi: 10.1002/stem.506.

Abstract

We have previously reported that ESC-derived tissues are subject to some level of immune privilege, which might facilitate induction of immune tolerance. Herein, we further demonstrate that fully allogeneic ESC-derived tissues are accepted with a regimen of coreceptor blockade even in recipients known to be relatively resistant to such a tolerizing protocol. Moreover, ESC-derived tissues could be spontaneously accepted across a class I major histocompatibility complex disparity. We further show that CD4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) appear to be essential for this natural "privileged" state as their ablation with an anti-CD25 mAb results in rejection of ESC-derived tissue. This same treatment exposes activation of macrophages and effector CD8(+) T cells, suggesting that these cells are subject to regulatory T cell control. Thus, spontaneous acceptance of ESC-derived tissues mimics the acquired immune privilege induced by coreceptor blockade and is determined by Treg-mediated suppression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transplantation Tolerance / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology