Dana-farber-cancer Institute Inc.

Christopher E Rudd

Stuart F Schlossman

Chikao Morimoto

Prasad V Kanteti

Disclosed are compositions and methods of blocking T cell signal transduction by introducing into a T cell a peptide comprising a PI 3-kinase-binding-sequence which decreases the association of PI 3-kinase with CD28. Also disclosed are compositions and methods of amplifying T cell activation by introducing into a T cell, a plurality of modified T cell surface proteins, the cytoplasmic tail of which comprises a plurality of copies of a PI 3-kinase-binding-sequence.

Signal transduction via CD28

This invention concerns alteration of the interaction of PTKs and T-cell receptors. We have found that PTKs and T-cell receptors are complexed within the T-cell and the formation of this complex dictates the susceptibility of the T-cell to activation and to infection by viruses such as HIV. The nature of the interaction between the kinase and the T-cell receptor in a human is also related to the potential for cancer cell formation in that human, and to susceptibility to an autoimmune disease. Modified p56.sup.lck and transfected mammalian cells expressing the same are disclosed.

Alteration of the interaction of a T-cell receptor with a

This invention concerns alteration of the interaction of PTKs and T-cell receptors. We have found that PTKs and T-cell receptors are complexed within the T-cell and the formation of this complex dictates the susceptibility of the T-cell to activation and to infection by viruses such as HIV. The nature of the interaction between the kinase and the T-cell receptor in a human is also related to the potential for cancer cell formation in that human, and to susceptibility to an autoimmune disease. Modified CD4 and CD8 T cell receptors and transfected mammalian cells expressing the same are disclosed.

An essentially purified antigen comprising a protein present in the T-cells of Aotus trivirgatus having molecular weights of 140 KD and 105 KD under reducing conditions and 120 KD and 90 KD under non-reducing conditions, antibodies against this antigen, and a method of using these antibodies to activate T-cells. The antibodies are able to induce T-cell activation in synergy with phorbol myristate acetate alone and with antibody against the T 11.sub.3 epitope of T 11 (CD.sub.2) antigen alone.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Christopher E Rudd