The aim of the present invention is to provide a method of acquiring
immunological tolerance to a foreign DNA or its expression product
whereby the foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign gene
incorporated thereinto or its expression product can be recognized not as
non-self but as self; a method of sustaining a gene therapeutic effect
whereby a rejection to a foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign
gene incorporated thereinto or its expression product can be avoided; and
a non-human animal which has acquired immunological tolerance to a
foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign gene incorporated
thereinto or its expression product. Fetal immature T lymphocytes
transferred with a foreign DNA, such as a foreign gene-incorporated viral
vector, are introduced into thymus and said foreign DNA is expressed in
the thymus organ. The methods of transferring said foreign DNA into a
fetal immature T lymphocyte include, for example, co-cultivating the
fetal immature T lymphocytes with viral vector-infected virus producer
cells.