Description of Invention:
This technology pertains to the identification of specific culture conditions that yield a high purity of Th2 cells. Recently, techniques have been developed that enable the in vitro expansion of mixed populations of T cells (CD4+ T-cells and CD8+ T-cells) using magnetic microbeads to which monoclonal antibodies to CD3 and CD28 have been attached. This technology is being developed commercially as the Xcellerate™ technology by Xcyte Therapies, Inc., Seattle, Washington.
The instant invention is directed to the use of the 3/28 bead-stimulated expansion of CD4+ cells, under specific culture conditions, to yield highly pure populations of Th2 cells. The reported conditions permit the production of large numbers of pure Th2 CD4+ cells from human CD4+ cells. This technology is potentially applicable for the treatment of several medical conditions. Particularly, research regarding the clinical application of using pure Th2 cells for reducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) during allogeneic stem cell transplantation (used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma) has proceeded to the stage of Phase I clinical trials.
Related Technologies:
DHHS Reference No. E-335-01/0 filed 31 Aug 2001 -- Methods of Generating Human CD4+ Th1 Cells
Portfolios: Cancer
Cancer -Therapeutics-Biological Response Modifiers Cancer -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Thomas P. Clouse J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4076
Email: clousetp@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
