| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to methods of obtaining antigen-specific regulatory cells in vitro or in vivo. The regulatory cells are obtainable by inducing apoptosis of antigen- presenting cells by NKT cells. In particular, NKT cells are elicited, in vitro or in vivo, by exposure to CD1d-restricted NKT cell peptide epitopes either in natural configuration or modified as to contain a thioreductase motif within flanking residues. The present invention discloses methods to elicit immature antigen-presenting cells loaded with apoptotic cells or with apoptotic bodies for suppressing or preventing diseases such as autoimmune diseases, graft rejection and allergic diseases, and medicaments related thereto. Further disclosed are the use of antigen-specific regulatory cells for suppressing or preventing diseases such as autoimmune diseases, graft rejection and allergic diseases, and medicaments related thereto. Further disclosed are populations of antigen-specific regulatory cells obtained by this method. |
