Cell-based Tolerogenic Therapy, Experience from Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Cell-based tolerogenic therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Regulatory T cells and tolerogenic dendritic cells have been particularly explored in the treatment of various autoimmune disorders in experimental models of disease. Although some of these cells have already been tested in a limited number of clinical trials, there is still a need for preclinical research on tolerogenic cells in animal models of autoimmunity. This review will focus on the relevance of data obtained from studies in experimental animal models for the use of tolerogenic cell-based therapy in humans. Also, perspectives for further improvement of tolerogenic cell preparation towards enhanced suppressive activity and stability of the cells will be discussed.

Keywords: Cell-based tolerogenic therapy; multiple sclerosis; regulatory T cells; rheumatoid arthritis; tolerogenic dendritic cells; type 1 diabetes.