Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2008 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Cell Immunol. 2007 Jul;248(1):31–43. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2007.03.010

Figure 4. Balance between Alloreactive T cells and Tregs in transplant outcome.

Figure 4

In the natural state, without any immunosuppression, there is a significantly greater frequency of directly alloreactive T cells that overcome the tolerogenic potential of Tregs and lead to allograft rejection. Administration of immunosuppression eliminates a significantly proportion of directly alloreactive T cells as well as Tregs. Nevertheless, there is influx of donor alloantigens through the indirect pathway that maintains alloreactive T cells. Since indirectly alloreactive T cells are more resistant to immunosuppression, the long-term sequelae of this influx is chronic rejection. Some important factors that can favor Tregs or alloreactive T cells following transplantation are represented.