Induction of T cell tolerance using soluble molecules that can block two costimulatory pathways simultaneously

摘要

The invention provides a ligand capable of binding to the human CD40 antigen and to the human CD86 antigen, and optionally to the CD80 antigen, said antigens being located on the surface of human lymphocytes, as well as vectors capable of producing the ligand and uses of the ligand in inducing T cell tolerance. Said ligand can be an antibody, which can be a trispecific diabody capable of binding to CD40 and to both CD80 and CD86, or a bispecific diabody capable of binding to human CD40 and to human CD86, or else a trispecific triabody capable of binding to CD40, CD80 and CD86.