In the next presentation, Yuliya Kurochkina, PhD, Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia, presented work on the immunosuppressive effect of tolerogenic dendritic cells on autologous T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Key findings: The T cells in RA patients were sensitive to the suppressive effect of autologous dexamethasone-modified dendritic cells, and autologous dexamethasone-modified dendritic cells suppress autoreactive T cells via induction of apoptosis, anergy and regulatory T cell activation.
The entirety of the session was an excellent example of bench-to-bedside research and how the fields of basic immunology and clinical rheumatology are deeply intertwined. Given the great potential for dendritic cells to restore tolerance in a multitude of autoimmune diseases, the future looks bright for this and other types of cell-based therapy. Moreover, given the geographic diversity of the speakers in this session, it’s clear such advances will truly represent a global effort and may help create the next frontier in therapeutics for clinicians around the world.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J.
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