A CIITA dominant negative mutant

Abstract

This patent describes a dominant negative mutant for class II trans-activating factor (CIITA). CIITA acts as a transcriptional activator via protein-protein interactions with other DNA-binding proteins that bind to the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) promoter. It has been shown to be necessary for interferon γ (IFN-γ) induced and constitutive expression of MHCII. The invention suppresses the expression of MHCII and of T-cell stimulation in human and pig cell lines, and suggests it is a important component that can be used in gene therapy for autoimmune diseases and in pig to human xenografts.

• class II trans-activating factor (CIITA)
• dominant negative mutant
• major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)