Immune System - Induction of Immune Tolerance

Immune tolerance, also known as immunological tolerance or immunotolerance, is a state in which the immune system does not mount a response to specific antigens or tissues that would otherwise provoke an immune reaction. This unresponsiveness can be natural (central or peripheral) or induced through therapeutic interventions. The induction of immune tolerance is crucial for preventing autoimmunity, enabling successful organ transplantation, managing allergies, and maintaining pregnancy. Key mechanisms include central tolerance (elimination or regulation of self-reactive lymphocytes in primary lymphoid organs) and peripheral tolerance (anergy, deletion, or suppression of mature lymphocytes in circulation). Key cellular players are dendritic cells (especially tolerogenic DCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Therapeutic strategies include immunosuppression, autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, and antigen-specific desensitization. Breakdowns in these mechanisms can lead to autoimmunity, transplant rejection, uncontrolled allergic reactions, or allow cancers and chronic infections to evade detection.

Other names

Immunological ToleranceImmunotolerance

Various, including central deletion/anergy, peripheral suppression/anergy/deletion.