| abstract |
The invention provides methods and compositions for promoting in a first species a state of tolerance against Galα1,3Gal epitopes present on a xenograft from a second species, thereby preventing hyperacute rejection (HAR) of the xenograft. The methods and compositions according to the invention cause the elimination or anergy of specific lymphoid according cells which are responsible for the production of xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNAs) which cause HAR of the xenograft. In a first aspect, the invention provides methods and tolerogenic compositions for inducing anergy in B cells which are specific for the Galα1,3Gal epitope. In a second aspect, the invention provides methods and tolerogenic compositions for inducing apoptosis in B cells specific for the Galα1,3Gal epitope. |