Method of inducing memory B cell development and terminal differentiation

US7378276B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Catherine Ettinger · Bethesda, US
• Peter E. Lipsky · Dallas, US
• Warren J. Leonard · Bethesda, US
• Rosanne Spolski · Silver Spring, US
• Herbert C. Morse, III · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 3, 2005
• Grant date: May 27, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 3, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2333/54
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method is disclosed herein for inducing differentiation of a B cell progenitor into a memory B cells and/or a plasma cell. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a mature B cell or a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. In one embodiment, the B cell progenitor is an immature B cell. A method is also disclosed for enhancing an immune response. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. The memory B cells and/or the plasma cell are then introduced into the subject to enhance the immune response. A method is also disclosed for treating a subject with a condition comprising a specific deficiency of at least one of memory B cells and plasma cells. A method is disclosed for identifying an agent with a physiological effect on one or more of a memory B cell and a plasma cell differentiation. A method is also disclosed for identifying agents that inhibit an activity of IL-21. Methods are also disclosed for inducing apoptosis of a B cell and for decreasing the number of B cells. A metho…