MEDICAMENT TO INDUCE PROTECTION FROM GRAFT REJECTION BY A HOST'S IMMUNE SYSTEM BASED ON GENETICALLY ENGINEERED EUKARYOTIC CELLS COMPRISING DNA ENCODING TRANSMEMBRANE LAG-3 PROTEIN

摘要

1. Use of genetically engineered eukaryotic cells comprising DNA encoding a transmembrane LAG-3 protein expressed on the surface of said cells resulting in the protection from graft rejection by a host's immune system. 2. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the DNA encoding a LAG-3 protein is exogenous. 3. Use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the DNA encoding a LAG-3 protein is endogenous and its expression is activated or modified through the targeted insertion of a regulator sequence and/or an amplifiable gene by homologous recombination. 4. Use as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cells are part of a tissue or organ to be transplanted. 5. Use as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cells are gene therapy host cells. 6. Use as claimed in claim 5, wherein gene therapy is somatic or "ex vivo" gene therapy. 7. Use as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said cells are derived from transgenic animals. 8. Use as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said cells are selected from myoblasts, fibroblasts, hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, foetal liver cells, umbilical vein endothelial cells or CHO cells. 9. Use of a combination of genetically engineered eukaryotic cells comprising DNA encoding a transmembrane LAG-3 protein expressed on the surface of said cells and an additional immuno-suppressive agent, such as IL-10. TGFss or Fas ligand resulting in the protection from graft rejection by a host's immune system. 10. Use as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cells are derived from transgenic animals. 11. Use as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said cells are selected from myoblasts, fibroblasts, hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, foetal liver cells, umbilical vein endothelial cells or CHO cells. 12. Use of a combination of genetically engineered eukaryotic cells comprising DNA encoding a transmembrane LAG-3 protein expressed on the surface of said cells and the thymidine Kinase (tk) gene to be sensitive to the tk-gancyclovir suicide system resulting in the protection from graft rejection by a host's immune system. 13. Use as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cells are derived from transgenic animals. 14. Use as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said cells are selected from myoblasts, fibroblasts, hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, foetal liver cells, umbilical vein endothelial cells or CHO cells. 15. Use of a combination of genetically engineered eukaryotic cells comprising DNA encoding a transmembrane LAG-3 protein expressed on the surface of said cells in the manufacture of a medicament to induce protection from graft rejection by a host's immune system.