In the last 25 years, studies in regulatory T cells (Tregs) biology have shed light into the key functions of these cells in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity.
Tregs use a plethora of mechanisms to modulate the activation and differentiation of cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immunity. Furthermore, recent studies highlighted the heterogenicity of Tregs. Different Treg subpopulations can be defined by specific molecular signatures and are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases, haematopoietic stem cells engraftment, and organ acceptance.
For these reasons, Tregs have been proposed as a therapeutical tool for controlling unwanted immune responses in transplantation, graft versus host disease (GVHD), autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammation. So far, cell therapy with Tregs has been shown to be safe and new clinical trials now aim to evaluate their efficacy.
In this Research Topic we would like to provide a new insight into the role of Tregs in controlling inflammatory responses in health and disease. We welcome Original Research articles, Review, Protocols, Clinical Trial and Opinion articles related to the following areas:
1. Studies characterizing Treg and Treg subsets in health and inflammatory mediated diseases.
2. New in vitro and in vivo mechanisms adopted by Tregs in controlling the immune system activation.
3. Molecular signatures of Treg in transplantation, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and graft versus host disease.
4. Preclinical and clinical studies where Tregs are used to prevent graft rejection as well as graft versus host disease.
5. Preclinical and clinical studies where Tregs are used to treat chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
6. Potential role of genetically modified Treg therapies in transplantation, GVHD and autoimmunity.
Topic Editor Marco Romano is employed by Quell Therapeutics Limited. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject
This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Community Series in The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Controlling Inflammatory Responses”. Please see the first volume here"