Induction of immunological tolerance

Abstract

A method of creating tolerance to transplanted cells, tissue, or organs without the need for continuous immunosuppression. A tolerizing dose of a cell or tissue within a membrane structure is implanted into a patient. Once the patient becomes tolerant to the cell or tissue, a tissue or organ is implanted which will no longer be recognized as foreign matter. The method makes animal organs practical for human use, prevents autoimmune destruction as well as immune rejection. It has applications in treatment and prevention of many mammalian diseases.

1 . A method of creating immunological tolerance to foreign cells, tissues or organs in a mammal, comprising the step of implanting in said mammal a tolerizing dose of corresponding foreign cells or tissue which shed antigens contained in or on said foreign cells tissues or organs, said corresponding foreign cells or tissue being encapsulated in a biologically-compatible permselective membrane.