The present invention provides methods for inducing tolerance or suppressing an immune response to an antigen by passing a cell suspension containing an immune cell through a constriction, wherein the constriction deforms the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that an antigen and/or tolerogenic factor enters the cell, thereby generating a tolerogenic and/or immunosuppressive immune cell. In some embodiments, the tolerogenic and/or immunosuppressive immune cell is delivered to an individual and presentation of the antigen induces tolerance and/or suppresses an immune response to the antigen.