The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for preparing
multi-potential stem cells having a pre-selected expression of MHC
antigens. Stem cells of the subject invention can be used to generate
histocompatible tissues/organs for transplantation. The process of the
subject invention comprises the use of targeting vectors capable of gene
knockout, insertion of site-specific recombination cassettes, and the
replacement of histocompatibility alleles in the stem cell. Novel
knockout vectors are used to delete designated regions of one chromosome.
Recombination cassette vectors are then used to delete the same region on
the second chromosome and deposit a site-specific recombination cassette
which can be utilized by replacement vectors for inserting the new MHC
genes on the chromosome of the engineered cell. The subject invention
also pertains to cells, tissues, and transgenic mammal prepared using the
methods and materials of the invention.