Use of multivalent chimeric peptide-loaded, MHC/Ig molecules to detect, activate or suppress antigen-specific T cell-dependent immune responses

US6734013B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Schneck · Silver Spring, US
• Drew M. Pardoll · Silver Spring, US
• Sean O'Herrin · Baltimore, US
• Jill Slansky · Baltimore, US
• Tim Greten · Baltimore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 22, 2001
• Grant date: May 11, 2004
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2760/16134
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

To increase the effective affinity of soluble analogs of peptide/MHC molecules for their cognate ligands, divalent peptide/MHC complexes were constructed. Using a recombinant DNA strategy, DNA encoding the MHC class I was ligated to DNA coding for murine Ig heavy chain. MHC/Ig complexes were exploited to homogeneously load with peptides of interest. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that the pepMHC/Ig complexes bound specifically with high affinity to cells bearing their cognate receptors. pepMHC/Ig complexes are also useful in modulating effector functions of antigen-specific T cells. These pepMHC/Ig complexes are useful for studying TCR/MHC interactions and lymphocyte tracking and have uses as specific regulators of immune responses.