Adoptive cell therapy of tolerogenic dendritic cells as inducer of regulatory T cells in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have become promising candidates for immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis (AR). The contributing role of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) in the augmentation of Tregs in AR remains to be determined.

METHODS: The properties of tDCs in expanding Tregs and their potential to ameliorate AR were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS: Monocyte-derived tDCs stimulated with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen 1 favored the generation of activated Tregs (aTregs) and suppressed effector T-cell responses in a transforming growth factor-beta/interleukin-10 (TGF-β/IL-10)-dependent manner in vitro. The adoptive transfer of tDCs inhibited allergic airway inflammation in the mouse model, whereas depletion of CD25+ cells or blocking TGF-β/IL-10 signaling eliminated the inhibitory effect, indicating that Tregs were involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of tDCs.

CONCLUSION: Our data show that tDCs are a potential therapeutic target in AR.