Methods for selectively stimulating proliferation of T cells

US5858358A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US
• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US
• DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE, INC. · US

Inventors

• Carl H. June · Yeadon, US
• Craig B. Thompson · Yeadon, US
• Gary J. Nabel · Cambridge, US
• Gary S. Gray · Brookline, US
• Paul Rennert · Holliston, US
• Gordon J. Freeman · Brookline, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 1994
• Grant date: Jan 12, 1999
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2501/599
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28 or CD9, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.