Immune system modulation via mixed chimerism induction

Immune system modulation via mixed chimerism induction refers to a clinical and experimental strategy in which both donor and recipient hematopoietic/immune cells coexist in the recipient following transplantation of donor bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cells, often in combination with immunosuppressive regimens and/or T cell depletion. This results in a chimeric immune system in which the recipient's immunity is modified to accept donor tissues (such as organ or islet transplants) without mounting a destructive immune response, allowing for operational tolerance and, in some cases, reversal of established autoimmunity. Mechanistically, it relies on deletion or regulation of alloreactive T cells (both centrally in the thymus and peripherally), induction and expansion of regulatory T cells, and requires careful balance to minimize GVHD and other complications. This is a therapeutic modality, not a molecular entity.

Other names

Mixed chimerism inductionMixed hematopoietic chimerismChimerism-based immune modulationChimerism-induced immune tolerance

Immune cell depletion (e.g., T cell depletion); T cell co-stimulation blockade; Induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs); Central deletion of alloreactive T cells in the thymus; Peripheral tolerance (anergy, regulatory cell expansion); Engraftment of donor and host hematopoietic stem cells resulting in immune coexistence