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.
本发明的基础是发现抗原递呈细胞(APCs)可以生成具有预定表达
水平的细胞内酶--
吲哚胺 2,3-二氧化酶(
IDO)。由于高
水平
IDO 的表达与刺激 T 细胞反应的能力降低和诱导免疫耐受的能力增强相关,因此具有高
水平
IDO 的 APCs 可用来增加免疫系统的耐受性,例如在移植疗法或自身免疫性疾病的治疗中。例如,具有高
水平
IDO 并表达或负载至少一种供体组织抗原的 APCs 可用于提高受体对供体组织的耐受性。另外,
IDO 表达
水平降低、表达或负载至少一种癌症或传染性病原体抗原的 APCs 可用作疫苗,以促进 T 细胞反应并增强免疫力。