MODULATION OF ANTIGEN PROCESSING USING PHAGOCYTIC CELLS

摘要

The present invention is directed to methods for enhancing the ability of the immune system to either increase or decrease a cellular immune response to an antigen, for the purpose of either enhancing effectiveness of, for example, anti-viral and anti-tumor responses or decreasing immunological reactions in, for example, autoimmune disease or organ rejection, respectiely; or clearing certain antigens responsible for disease in order to prevent an immune response. Methods are also provided for preventing a cellular immune response to a pre-selected antigen by ex vivo of in vivo methods whereby dendritic cell maturation is permitted to occur in the absence of effective CD4+ T cell help. Under these conditions, elimination of cytotoxic T cells is achieved. The methods may be used for the prophylaxis of an undesired immune response to an autoimmune disease antigen, a transplant antigen, or reducing an exaggerated immune response to an antigen.