| abstract |
The invention relates to in vitro gene-modified T cells for preventing allogeneic graft rejection in vivo, processes for their production and their use. Here, T cells of the transplant recipient are stimulated in vitro by cells from the transplant donor or by cells which express dominant MHC molecules and at the same time are transduced by means of gene transfer with immunomodulating genes. After gene transfer, the transduced T cells begin to express the immunomodulatory genes. The gene transfer can take place with the help of retroviruses, other viral vector systems or liposomes. Due to the chosen experimental conditions, which lead to the generation and expansion of allo-specific T cells, the T cells migrate specifically after the in vivo application both into the allogeneic graft and into the draining lymph nodes and can express the immunomodulating genes there. The invention makes it possible to effectively prevent the rejection of allogeneic grafts (cells, tissues, organs) and thus represents an effective means both for inducing tolerance and for maintaining tolerance towards allogeneic grafts (cells, tissues, organs) in transplantation medicine. |