The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase, represents a key biologic "switch" modulating cell metabolisms in response to environmental signals and is now recognized as a central regulator of the immune system. There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the hypothesis that mTOR inhibitors exhibit several biological properties in addition to immunosuppression, including anti-neoplastic effects, cardio-protective activities, and an array of immunomodulatory actions facilitating the development of an operational graft tolerance. The biological mechanisms explaining how mTOR inhibition can enable a tolerogenic state are still largely unclear. The induction of transplant tolerance might at the same time decrease rejection rate and minimize immunosuppression-related side effects, leading to an improvement in long-term graft outcome. In this scenario, T cell immunoregulation has been defined as the hallmark of peripheral tolerance. Two main immunologic cell populations have been reported to play a central role in this setting: regulatory T cells (Tregs) and dendritic cells (DCs). In this review we focus on mTOR inhibitors effects on Treg and DCs differentiation, activation, and function in the transplantation setting.
mTOR inhibitors effects on regulatory T cells and on dendritic cells.
Zaza, Gianluigi;
2016-01-01
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase, represents a key biologic "switch" modulating cell metabolisms in response to environmental signals and is now recognized as a central regulator of the immune system. There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the hypothesis that mTOR inhibitors exhibit several biological properties in addition to immunosuppression, including anti-neoplastic effects, cardio-protective activities, and an array of immunomodulatory actions facilitating the development of an operational graft tolerance. The biological mechanisms explaining how mTOR inhibition can enable a tolerogenic state are still largely unclear. The induction of transplant tolerance might at the same time decrease rejection rate and minimize immunosuppression-related side effects, leading to an improvement in long-term graft outcome. In this scenario, T cell immunoregulation has been defined as the hallmark of peripheral tolerance. Two main immunologic cell populations have been reported to play a central role in this setting: regulatory T cells (Tregs) and dendritic cells (DCs). In this review we focus on mTOR inhibitors effects on Treg and DCs differentiation, activation, and function in the transplantation setting.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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