Harnessing CD8+CD28- Regulatory T Cells as a Tool to Treat Autoimmune Disease

Cells. 2021 Nov 1;10(11):2973. doi: 10.3390/cells10112973.

Abstract

T regulatory cell therapy presents a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with autoimmune diseases or who are undergoing transplantation. At present, the CD4+ Treg population has been extensively characterized, as a result of defined phenotypic and functional readouts. In this review article, we discuss the development and biology of CD8+ Tregs and their role in murine and human disease indications. A subset of CD8+ Tregs that lack the surface expression of CD28 (CD8+CD28- Treg) has proved efficacious in preclinical models. CD8+CD28- Tregs are present in healthy individuals, but their impaired functionality in disease renders them less effective in mediating immunosuppression. We primarily focus on harnessing CD8+ Treg cell therapy in the clinic to support current treatment for patients with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.

Keywords: CD8; Treg; autoimmunity; immunoregulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • CD28 Antigens / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens