ANTIGEN-PRESENTING CELL POPULATIONS AND THEIR USE AS REAGENTS FOR ENHANCING OR REDUCING IMMUNE TOLERANCE

摘要

The present invention is based on the discovery antigen-presenting cells (APCs) may be generated to have predetermined levels of expression of the intracellular enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Because expression of high levels of IDO is correlated with a reduced ability to stimulate T cell responses and an enhanced ability to induce immunologic tolerance, APCs having high levels of IDO may be used to increase tolerance in the immune system, as for example in transplant therapy or treatment of autoimmune disorders. For example, APCs having high levels of IDO, and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a donor tissue may be used to increase tolerance of the recipient to the donor's tissue. Alternatively, APCs having reduced levels of IDO expression and expressing or loaded with at least one antigen from a cancer or infectious pathogen may be used as vaccines to promote T cell responses and increase immunity.