Regulation of the Alloimmune Response

Insights into the molecular events that enable the immune system to control itself, particularly in relation to how T cells with regulatory or suppressor activity (Treg) develop and function, hold the key to developing new approaches for manipulating or controlling the aggressive unwanted immune responses in vivo, thereby preventing rejection. This information should facilitate the development of more-selective therapies that target only destructive immune responses without adversely affecting the beneficial, protective functions of the immune system. The induction of immunological unresponsiveness to defined sets of alloantigens remains a major unmet need in clinical transplantation. Novel immunotherapeutic agents should enable the development of effective immunosuppressive regimens that have reduced toxicity and lead to a regulated response after transplantation. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.