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Strategies for reconstituting and boosting T cell-based immunity following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: pre-clinical and clinical approaches

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Abstract

Poor immune recovery is characteristic of bone marrow transplantation and leads to high levels of morbidity and mortality. The primary underlying cause is a compromised thymic function, resulting from age-induced atrophy and further compounded by the damaging effects of cytoablative conditioning regimes on thymic epithelial cells (TEC). Several strategies have been proposed to enhance T cell reconstitution. Some, such as the use of single biological agents, are currently being tested in clinical trials. However, a more rational approach to immune restoration will be to leverage the evolving repertoire of new technologies. Specifically, the combined targeting of TEC, thymocytes and peripheral T cells, together with the bone marrow niches, promises a more strategic clinical therapeutic platform.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge generous research support from the Australian Stem Cell Centre, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Norwood Immunology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Building 75, STRIP, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, 3800, Melbourne, Australia

    Ann P. Chidgey, Natalie Seach, Jarrod Dudakov, Maree V. Hammett & Richard L. Boyd

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  1. Ann P. Chidgey
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  2. Natalie Seach
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  3. Jarrod Dudakov
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  4. Maree V. Hammett
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  5. Richard L. Boyd
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Correspondence to Ann P. Chidgey.

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Chidgey, A.P., Seach, N., Dudakov, J. et al. Strategies for reconstituting and boosting T cell-based immunity following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: pre-clinical and clinical approaches. Semin Immunopathol 30, 457–477 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-008-0140-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-008-0140-5

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