CELLULAR COMPOSITIONS WHICH FACILITATE ENGRAFTMENT OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS WHILE MINIMIZING THE RISK OF GVHD

摘要

The present invention provides for cellular compositions which facilitate engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells from a syngeneic, allogeneic or xenogeneic donor. The cellular compositions of the invention facilitate engraftment while minimizing the risk of graft versus host disease in the graft recipient. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cell composition is provided, which cell composition comprises hematopoietic stem cells, such as CD34<+> cells and/or facilitating cells, in combination with alpha beta TCR<+> T cells. The invention also relates to methods of using the cellular compositions of the invention to induce donor specific tolerance in a recipient, thus allowing the transplantation of donor organs, cells and tissues. Also disclosed are methods of treating leukemia and cancer as well as infectious diseases caused by viruses.