Regulatory T cell induction strategies and applications in the treatment of immune and non-immune diseases

As a key regulator of the immune system, regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress excessive immune responses and maintain self-tolerance through various immunosuppressive mechanisms, both contact-dependent and contact-independent. They have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in immune-related diseases and some non-immune diseases. In this paper, we systematically review the induction strategies of Treg cells, covering various aspects including antigenic stimulation, cytokine modulation, metabolic pathways, epigenetic regulation, drug induction, and engineered technology. Although each strategy has its own advantages, no single approach can comprehensively address the complex issues surrounding Treg cell stability, target specificity, and large-scale production. Therefore, we propose that integrating multiple induction strategies during the Treg cell induction process is crucial for designing Treg cell therapies with superior functionality and broader applications, thereby overcoming the current limitations of Treg cell therapies. In addition, we introduce their therapeutic applications in immune diseases (such as autoimmune disease, organ transplantation, allergic asthma, and cancer) and non-immune diseases (such as insulin resistance, tissue repair, fibrotic diseases, and osteoporosis), and recent advancements. We also discuss current research bottlenecks of Treg cell-based therapeutic strategies and provide an outlook on their future development, aiming to deepen the understanding of Treg cells and promote the advancement of Treg cell-based cellular therapeutic strategies.