The effects of antibody treatment on regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells

Current therapeutic antibodies, at least some, possess the capacity to induce immune tolerance in experimental models with allo-grafts or autoimmune diseases. Clinical application of humanized or chimeric antibodies to treat graft rejection or autoimmune diseases is presently underway. It is now becoming clear that immune tolerance can be acquired in some cases due to the action of regulatory T cells (Tregs), especially CD4+CD25+ Tregs. In addition to their inhibition on immune response, some antibodies could promote tolerance induction in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases essentially through the induction of Tregs. In this manuscript, we review the recent progress on the effects of therapeutic antibodies on the development, phenotypic changes and functions of CD4+CD25+ Tregs.