Japanese Team Develops Immune-Controlling Cells Using Human iPS Cells

In a groundbreaking achievement, a Japanese research group based in Kyoto has successfully produced regulatory T cells from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, making them the first in the world to do so. These regulatory T cells play a crucial role in suppressing excessive immune responses, offering new possibilities in the field of transplantation medicine.

Published in the prestigious U.S. journal Cell Stem Cell, the study highlights the potential of this production method to mass produce these cells, which are known for their effectiveness in preventing rejection in transplant patients. This breakthrough could revolutionize the current treatment for autoimmune diseases, which often rely on immunosuppressive drugs.

By culturing T cells from human iPS cells using a combination of specific reagents, the research group was able to develop regulatory T cells with immunosuppressive effects similar to those naturally occurring in the body. When transplanted into mice with graft-versus-host disease, these engineered T cells successfully suppressed immune responses and extended the survival periods of the mice.

Professor Shin Kaneko, a member of the research team at Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, expressed optimism about the potential of this discovery. “If we use iPS cells, we’ll be able to secure large amounts of cells quickly, which will lead to the development of drugs to treat autoimmune diseases,” he stated.

This groundbreaking research opens up new possibilities for the future of medical treatment, offering hope for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases and other conditions related to immune system dysfunction.