Methods for treating patients with autoimmune diseases are disclosed, The methods of the application include first depleting circulating lymphocytes in the mammal, e.g., by administering anti-thymocyte antibody, and then, during the course of repopulation, administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of latent TGF-² and/or another agent that promotes expansion of regulatory T cells. In certain aspects, the disclosed process results in improved kidney function and survival rates.
