Nobel Laureate Unveils Groundbreaking Technique for Autoimmune Disease Treatment

In a significant advancement for immunology and autoimmune disease treatment, recent Nobel Prize winner Shimon Sakaguchi, M.D., Ph.D., has published two papers demonstrating a novel technique to convert rogue T cells into regulatory T cells (Tregs). This breakthrough, detailed in Science Translational Medicine on October 22, 2025, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of various autoimmune conditions.

Innovative Conversion of T Cells

Dr. Sakaguchi's team has developed a method to transform disease-causing T cells into Tregs, which play a crucial role in maintaining immune system balance. The process involves exposing extracted T cells to a small molecule that activates the Foxp3 gene, critical for Treg development. Simultaneously, the researchers blocked stimulation of the CD28 receptor, further promoting Foxp3 expression and other Treg-associated genes.

"Both procedures together can convert antigen-specific or disease-specific T cells into Tregs that specifically suppress the disease mediated by the effector T cells," Sakaguchi explained. This approach effectively turns the very cells responsible for autoimmune reactions into their own treatment.

Promising Results in Preclinical Studies

The research team demonstrated the efficacy of their technique in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease, graft-versus-host disease, and pemphigus vulgaris. Importantly, they also successfully converted human T cells into Tregs in laboratory settings, paving the way for potential clinical applications.

RegCell, a company spun out from Sakaguchi's lab at Osaka University, is now preparing to conduct first-in-human trials of this technique. This move positions RegCell among several companies working to harness the therapeutic potential of Tregs, including Sonoma Biotherapeutics, co-founded by fellow Nobel laureate Fred Ramsdell, Ph.D.

Distinguishing Features and Future Prospects

Unlike some competitors in the field, Sakaguchi's approach does not involve genetic manipulation. "We do not manipulate the genome," he stated. "We can convert disease-mediating T cells into Tregs simply by targeting signaling pathways, not the genome."

This non-genetic approach could offer advantages in terms of safety and regulatory approval. As the field of Treg-based therapies continues to evolve, with companies like Coya Therapeutics exploring biologics to boost Treg activity, Sakaguchi's technique represents a unique and promising direction in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.