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Mechanisms of peripheral immune tolerance

Conversion of the immune to the unresponsive phenotype

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Abstract

Our studies on the immune response to foreign antigens are reviewed as they relate to the mechanisms of peripheral immune tolerance. The activation of suppressor T cells by distinct modes of antigen presentation is discussed. Through the use of mice expressing transgenic T-cell receptors specific for foreign antigens, we have concluded that the separable mechanisms of anergy and active suppression by CD25+T cells work in concert to produce peripheral tolerance. In T-cell receptor Vβ8.1 transgenic mice rendered tolerant of Mls-1a, the absence of the cell surface marker 6C10 defines the anergic population of CD4+T cells, while 6C10+ CD4+ T cells are actively suppressed by CD25+T cells. Through discussion of these observations, we have developed a historical perspective on recent advances in the understanding of mechanisms of peripheral tolerance.

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Author notes

  1. Mark I. Greene MD, PhD, FRCP

    Present address: Abramson Family Cancer Research Instiute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 252 John Morgan Building 36 th and Humikon Walk, 19104-6082, Philadelphia, PA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 252 John Morgan Building 36th and Hamikon Walk, 19104-6082, Philadelphia, PA

    Sandra J. Saouaf & Yuan Shen

  2. Abramson Family Cancer Research Instiute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 252 John Morgan Building 36 th and Humikon Walk, 19104-6082, Philadelphia, PA

    Patrick J. Brennan

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  1. Sandra J. Saouaf
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  4. Mark I. Greene MD, PhD, FRCP
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Saouaf, S.J., Brennan, P.J., Shen, Y. et al. Mechanisms of peripheral immune tolerance. Immunol Res 28, 193–199 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/IR:28:3:193

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