Regulatory T-cell induction via cytokine-mediated signaling from tolerogenic dendritic cells

Regulatory T-cell (Treg) induction via cytokine-mediated signaling from tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) is a complex immunological process rather than a single molecular target. This pathway involves tDCs—specialized antigen-presenting cells with low costimulatory potential—secreting immunosuppressive cytokines such as Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) to promote the differentiation of naive CD4+ T-cells into Foxp3+ Tregs (Raker et al., 2015, Frontiers in Immunology). This mechanism is essential for maintaining peripheral self-tolerance and preventing overactive immune responses that lead to autoimmunity or allergy (Maldonado & von Andrian, 2010, Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science). In therapeutic contexts, this process is targeted by drugs like Vitamin D3 or Rapamycin to treat autoimmune conditions or prevent organ transplant rejection by shifting the immune balance toward tolerance (Domogalla et al., 2017, Frontiers in Immunology). However, because it represents a broad physiological process involving multiple receptors and ligands, it is classified as a pathway or mechanism of action rather than a discrete therapeutic protein target.

Other names

Treg induction by tDCsTolerogenic dendritic cell-mediated immune toleranceCytokine-driven regulatory T-cell differentiation

Pharmacological agents or biologicals induce a tolerogenic phenotype in dendritic cells, characterized by reduced costimulatory molecule expression and increased secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines (e.g., IL-10, TGF-beta), which subsequently signal through T-cell receptors and cytokine receptors to drive Foxp3 expression and regulatory T-cell differentiation.