Regulatory T cell therapy in autoimmune liver disease and transplantation

In this review, we explore the application of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as cellular therapies in the setting of autoimmune liver diseases and liver transplantation. At present, there are limited treatment options for end-stage liver disease, which in many cases requires transplantation. Following liver transplantation, immunosuppressive drugs are administered, often throughout the course of the patient's life, to prevent organ rejection. When used for a prolonged period, immunosuppressive drugs can have detrimental effects on the patient's health and quality of life. Tregs are an attractive target for cellular therapy in this context because of their innate ability to control inflammatory immune responses. In this review, we cover the different generations of Treg-based therapies, their potential roles in the treatment of autoimmune liver diseases and transplantation, and the future outlook for Tregs as cellular therapies.