IMMUNE MODULATION WITH DEATH RECEPTOR-INDUCED APOPTOSIS

摘要

This invention provides chimeric proteins comprising an apoptosis-inducingmolecule fused to a member of a binding pair that is capable of binding to aselected cell that expresses a death receptor. When the selected cell isexposed in vivo or ex vivo to the chimeric protein, the selected cellundergoes apoptosis. The preferred embodiment is FasL protein fused tostreptavidin. The methods of using the chimeric proteins are especiallybeneficial in causing activated lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis, thusmodulating the immune response. Patients with conditions such as asthma orallergy, or patients undergoing transplantation with allogeneic or xenogeneictissue are examples of patients who benefit from the methods of this invention.