Ceacam1 mediated protective immunity

Abstract

The presently described technology relates to the modulation of specific immune responses to create a protective immunity in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue. In particular, the present technology relates to the suppression of immune responses in a targeted fashion, by increasing the functional concentration of the CEACAM1 protein in a target tissue to create a localized protective immunity for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inducing a protective immunity in a target tissue, wherein said method comprises the induction of CEACAM1 protein production in said target tissue. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said target tissue comprises tissue afflicted by an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said target tissue comprises tissue being prepared for transplantation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said induction of CEACAM1 protein production comprises the activation of CEACAM1 gene expression, said activation comprising contacting said target tissue with a signal transduction protein, transcriptional activator protein, nucleic acid, small molecule compound, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said induction of CEACAM1 protein production comprises the transfer of a nucleic acid sequence into the cells of said target tissue, said nucleic acid encoding the CEACAM1 protein. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said induction of CEACAM1 protein production comprises the transfer of a nucleic acid sequence into the cells of said target tissue, said nucleic acid encoding a protein that induces CEACAM1 mRNA expression. 
     
     
         7 . The methods of  claims 5  and  6 , wherein said transfer of nucleic acid into the cells of said target tissue comprises viral-mediated transfer, particle-mediated transfer, or magnetic cationic liposome mediated transfer. 
     
     
         8 . A method for inducing a protective immunity in a target tissue, wherein said method comprises the induction of CEACAM1 protein production in said target tissue.