Essay : Regulatory T-cells: A potential therapeutic intervention for autoimmune diseases

Cox, L.S. (2013) Essay : Regulatory T-cells: A potential therapeutic intervention for autoimmune diseases. Master's Thesis / Essay, Biology.

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Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are associated with a breakdown in central or peripheral self-tolerance, resulting in the initiation of pathogenic immune responses against self. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) expressing the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) are potent regulators of peripheral self-tolerance. Defects in the number or function of Tregs have been associated with the development of many autoimmune diseases, generating interest in the use of Tregs as cell-based immunotherapy. However, uncertainty regarding the identification, stability and function of human Tregs has prevented the application of Tregs as therapy for autoimmune diseases. Such research demonstrates that Tregs are a heterogeneous population with varying regulatory phenotypes and the potential to convert into pro-inflammatory T-helper 17 cells. Therefore, prior to using Tregs as cellular therapy for autoimmune disease, these potential drawbacks must be fully investigated. In this thesis I describe in detail the development, classification, migration, molecular characterisation and stability of Tregs. In addition to, proposing a new protocol for the isolation of highly pure FoxP3+ Tregs to be used as immunotherapy for autoimmune disease.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:52
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:52
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/10836

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