2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (7): 1143-1148

Role of regulatory T cell subsets in liver transplantation and progress in clinical application

Xuan Juanjuan, Bai Hongtai, Zhang Jixiang, Wang Yaoquan, Chen Guoyong, Wei Sidong   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The immune rejection after liver transplantation seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Regulatory T cells play an important role in inhibiting the rejection and maintaining immune tolerance.
OBJECTIVE: To review the role of regulatory T cells in liver transplantation and its clinical application, so as to provide ideas for the research and clinical application of regulatory T cells in liver transplantation and other organ transplantation.
METHODS: The first author searched the relevant articles published from January 1970 to February 2021 in PubMed and CNKI by computer in February 2021. The Chinese and English key words were “regulatory T cells, liver transplantation”. Finally, 49 articles were included and analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Regulatory T cells are a subgroup of T cells that control the autoimmune response in vivo, also known as inhibitory T cells. Regulatory T cells can be divided into naturally occurring natural regulatory T cells and induced adaptive regulatory T cells. Natural regulatory T cells are mainly CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, accounting for about 5%-10% of CD4+T cells in peripheral blood and spleen. Regulatory T cells play an important role in inhibiting liver transplantation rejection and maintaining immune tolerance. (2) After liver transplantation, the number and activity of regulatory T cells and the expression of transcription factor forkhead box P3 were increased when the recipient was stimulated by the transplanted liver. (3) The number and activity of regulatory T cells were low in the recipients of rejection after liver transplantation. (4) The number and activity of regulatory T cells were higher in immunotolerant patients after liver transplantation, and regulatory T cells could induce and maintain immune tolerance. (5) Infusion of regulatory T cells into the recipient after liver transplantation can reduce the rejection and prolong the survival time of the transplanted liver.

Key words:regulatory T cells, liver transplantation, rejection, immune tolerance, mechanism, cell therapy, liver disease, organ transplantation