The Johns Hopkins University

Abdel Hamad

Jonathan Schneck

Sean O'Herrin

Michael S Lebowitz

Compositions comprising a cell in which a molecular complex with high affinity for its cognate ligand is bound to the surface of the cell are provided. To form the molecular complexes, extracellular domains of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins, particularly T cell receptor and major histocompatibility complex proteins, can be covalently linked to the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin molecules. The molecular complexes can be used, inter alia, to detect and regulate antigen-specific T cells and as therapeutic agents for treating disorders involving immune system regulation, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, tumors, infections, and transplant rejection. Optionally, identical antigenic peptides can be bound to each ligand binding site of a molecular complex.

Cell compositions comprising molecular complexes that modify immune responses

Extracellular domains of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins, particularly T cell receptor and major histocompatibility complex proteins, can be covalently linked to the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin molecules to provide soluble multivalent molecular complexes with high affinity for their cognate ligands. The molecular complexes can be used, inter alia, to detect and regulate antigen-specific T cells and as therapeutic agents for treating disorders involving immune system regulation, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, tumors, infections, and transplant rejection.

Molecular complexes which modify immune responses

Polynucleotides encode soluble, multivalent molecular complexes which modify immune responses, and host cells comprise such polynucleotides. The molecular complexes comprise extracellular domains of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins, particularly T cell receptor and major histocompatibility complex proteins, which are covalently linked to the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin molecules to provide soluble multivalent molecular complexes with high affinity for their cognate ligands. The molecular complexes can be used, inter alia, to detect and regulate antigen-specific T cells and as therapeutic agents for treating disorders involving immune system regulation, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, tumors, infections, and transplant rejection.

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Abdel Hamad