The present invention provides a method for restoring immune tolerance in vivo. The invention relates to the use of a recombinant gene encoding auto-antigens or parts thereof for restoring immune tolerance to the auto-antigens in vivo, under transcriptional control of polyomaviral early and late promoters. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of recombinant polyomaviral gene delivery vector particles, such as simian virus 40 (SV40) viral vector particles encoding one or multiple auto-antigens or parts thereof under transcriptional control of the SV40 early and late promoter, for restoring immune tolerance to the auto-antigens in vivo. The invention also relates to compositions comprising recombinant genes or polyomaviral vectors and uses thereof as treatment for degenerative or dystrophic diseases.

The present invention relates to improved methods for the production of viral particles, viral vector particles and recombinant proteins. In particular, the invention relates to improved methods for the production of recombinant polyomaviral vector particles and polyomaviral vector production cell lines. More in particular, the invention relates to methods for the production of simian polyomaviral vector particles such as simian virus 40 (SV40) viral vector particles. The invention also relates to compositions comprising viral vectors and uses thereof and viral vector particles to treat genetic disorders, transplant rejection, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, allergies or cancer. The invention also relates to methods for the production of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells and methods to enhance the production of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells.