IN VITRO GENERATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN REGULATORY T-CELLS

Abstract. The aim of present study was to evaluate efficacy of generation and characterization of regulatory T cells (Treg). The Treg were derived from peripheral mononuclear cells of healthy donors, using activation with anti-CD3mAb and IL-2, either in absence (model 1), or in the presence of immunosuppressive agents (vitamin D3 and dexamethasone, model 2). It was shown, that the Treg, obtained in model 1, are characterized by decreased anti-CD3-induced proliferative response and lack of suppressive activity. Treg, obtained in presence of vitamin D3 and dexamethasone, proved to be profoundly anergic. Such a state may be partially abolished by exogenic IL-2. These cells are also characterized by suppressive activity mediated by both cell-to-cell contacts and soluble factors, such as IL-10. Hence, the regulatory T cells generated in model 2, can be referred as inducible Treg (Tr1). Nevertheless, increased ratio of cells expressing CD4+FOXP3+ among Treg obtained by model 2, may also suggest an ability to generate natural regulatory cells. (Med. Immunol., 2008, vol. 10, n 2-3, pp 173-180).