To prevent chronic graft versus host disease.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
University of British Columbia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
A process called immune tolerance allows our immune system to fend off dangerous foreign substances yet leave our own tissues untouched. When immune tolerance fails, it results in chronic inflammation, leading to many different diseases, including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. It can also lead to transplant rejection.<\/p>\n<\/div>
T cells, or Tregs, which suppress undesired immune responses, promote tissue healing and help re-establish a balanced immune system. Tregs are rare in circulating blood, but we have shown that an organ called the thymus is an abundant source of easily-isolated and pure Tregs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>