Transplantation antigen-depleted cells and methods for making such cells from a target cell are provided. The transplantation antigen-depleted cell is made by exposing a target cell to an oligonucleotide capable of binding to a transplantation antigen nucleotide sequence. The oligonucleotide is capable of binding to the nucleotide sequence according to Watson-Crick or triplex binding rules. Preferred transplantation antigens are the MHC class I or II antigens. Oligonucleotides useful in practicing this method are also provided.
