University College Cardiff Consultants Limited

Marlene Brandes Kuchen

Bernhard Moser

Cytotoxic &#x3b1;&#x3b2; T cells form an essential component in immunity to infections and tumors, and are also implicated in host defense against these challenges. The present disclosure demonstrates the ability of activated &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells to cross-present exogenous antigens to CD8&#x3b1;&#x3b2; T cells, a process previously thought to be mediated best by dendritic cells. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method for cross-presentation of antigen derived from tumor cell or microbial organisms such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts, parasites, and the like, or from cells infected with such organisms, to a CD8&#x3b1;&#x3b2; T cell. Still further, the present disclosure provides a method for treatment of a tumor or a chronic or recurrent infectious disease, comprising delivering an antigen-presenting autologous &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cell population above into a patient requiring such treatment. Still yet further, a method is described for preparing a peptide-specific effector T cell.

Preparation of antigen-presenting human &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells and use in immunotherapy

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of efficient antigen-presenting human &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells, to the &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells prepared by such a method, and to their use in immunotherapy, vaccination, vaccine development and diagnostics. Similar to dendritic cells (DCs) in potency and efficacy, these human &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells process antigens and present antigenic peptides to &#x3b1;&#x3b2; T cells and induce antigen-specific responses (proliferation and differentiation) in na&#xef;ve &#x3b1;&#x3b2; T cells. &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells are easily purified from peripheral blood, acquire 'maturation' status (expression of essential adhesion, co-stimulatory and major histocompatibility complex molecules) within 1 day of in vitro culture under stimulation and induce strong primary and secondary T helper cell and cytotoxic T cell responses. The &#x3b3;&#x3b4; T cells may be used in a method of treatment of tumors or chronic or recurrent infectious diseases, in identification of novel tumor or pathogen-derived antigens, and in the diagnosis of the immune competence of a patient.

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Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Marlene Brandes Kuchen