THE USE OF IMMATURE DENDRITIC CELLS TO SILENCE ANTIGEN SPECIFIC CD8+T CELL FUNCTION

摘要

This invention provides methods for silencing a pre-existing immune response in a mammal, as for example, in the setting of autoimmune diseases. The method comprises administering to a mammal immature dendritic cells which have been contacted in vitro with an antigen, or to target the antigen to immature dendritic cells in vivo, in order to silence and/or suppress a pre-existing CD8+T cell immune response and induce IL-10 producing CD8+T cells in said mammal. This invention further relates to methods for propagating immature dendritic cells, for maintaining immaturity by modification ex vivo, and uses thereof, including generation of regulatory T cells for passive immunotherapy. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits comprising immature dendritic cells and antigens.