About this Research Topic

Background

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for homeostasis of the immune system and prevent the development of autoimmunity and allergy. The loss of functional Treg leads to serious, often fatal autoimmune diseases. Therefore, this T cell population is in the focus of biomedical research and development. Currently, the first biologicals to modulate Treg activity as well as therapeutic strategies for the transfer of Treg are being developed and tested in pre-clinical and clinical trials.

Hence, we think that it is timely to discuss the current scientific approaches to modulate Treg activity as a therapeutic option in a Frontiers Research Topic. In contrast to many other topics for immune regulation, we focus on the translation, the critical testing of scientific theories in clinical studies in humans. Therefore, the main focus of this topic are human Treg and their potential functional modulation to treat inflammatory diseases in man.

We would like to focus on:

- Cellular therapeutics for human Treg activation (i.e. tolerogenic DC for Treg induction and isolated and expanded Treg)

- Novel biologics for human Treg activation in autoimmunity and allergy (i.e. Tregalizumab, Teplizumab, gp120)

- Molecular mechanisms underlying their mode of action of human Treg (e.g. cAMP) and possible modulation and intervention strategies.

- Additive compounds (IL-2, IL-7, TGF...) to activate Treg properties in vivo

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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