MODULATION OF SYSTEMIC IMMUNE RESPONSES BY TRANSPLANTATION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS TRANSDUCED WITH GENES ENCODING ANTIGENS AND ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELL REGULATORY MOLECULES

摘要

The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of systemic immune responses by transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells transduced with genes encoding antigens and antigen presenting cell regulatory molecules. The invention includes bi-cistronic lentiviral expression vectors adapted for antigen expression in antigen presenting cells for use in DNA vaccines directed against pathogens and tumor antigens as well as for the treatment of autoimmune disease and for the establishment of antigen tolerance.