Abstract:
The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel marker genes for the specific identification and characterization of human suppressive and/or regulatory T cells including natural, adaptive, and expanded CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + T cells in healthy individuals as well as tumor patients or patients with autoimmune diseases.
Abstract:
Inhibition of bromodomain proteins in antigen presenting cells is shown herein to be more inflammatory, to display lower expression of the immunosuppressive molecule PDL1, and to be capable of restoring the responsiveness of tolerant T-cells. Therefore, disclosed is a method for promoting T-cell activation during cancer immunotherapy in a subject that involves administering to a subject undergoing cancer immunotherapy a composition comprising a bromodomain inhibitor. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising co-administering to the subject a bromodomain inhibitor and an immunostimulatory agent.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an in vitro or ex vivo method of preparing a cell-free composition, said method comprising or consisting of (a) subjecting cells to stress; and (b) collecting factors produced, preferably secreted by said cells when subjected to said stress, thereby obtaining said cell-free composition; wherein said cells are comprised in or form at least one first carrier and said collecting is effected by means of at least one second carrier which second carrier(s) is/are cell-free and concomitantly present with and spatially distinct from said first carrier; and said collecting is effected using a device comprising or consisting of (i) said first carrier(s) which first carrier(s) comprise(s) said cells or is/are suitable to hold said cells; (ii) said second carrier(s) which is cell-free; and (iii) means of subjecting said cells in said first carrier to stress; wherein first carrier(s) and second carrier(s) are positioned such that factors secreted by said cells when subjected to stress are collected in said second carrier(s), wherein means are positioned between said first and second carrier which prevent any cells and/or pathogens present in (any of) said first carrier(s) from entering into said second carrier(s).
Abstract:
Many cell types in the body can remove apoptotic and cellular debris from tissues; however, the professional phagocyte, or antigen presenting cell ('APC'), has a high capacity to do so. The recognition of apoptotic cells ('ACs') occurs via a series of evolutionarily-conserved, AC associated molecular-pattern receptors ('ACAMPRs') on APCs that recognize and bind corresponding apoptotic-cell-associated molecular patterns ('ACAMPs'). These receptors recognize ligands such as phosphotidyl serine and oxidized lipids found on apoptotic cells. Savill et al. (2002); and Gregory et al. (2004).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for producing transgenic chickens obtained from long-term cultures of avian PGCs. Also described are techniques to produce said PGCs and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. These PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs are transmitted through the germ line to yield transgenic offspring. Also described are compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs that can be genetically modified by gene targeting, that can accept large amounts of foreign DNA and that contribute to the germline of recipient embryos.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of obtaining antigen-specific regulatory cells in vitro or in vivo. The regulatory cells are obtainable by inducing apoptosis of antigen- presenting cells by NKT cells. In particular, NKT cells are elicited, in vitro or in vivo, by exposure to CD1d-restricted NKT cell peptide epitopes either in natural configuration or modified as to contain a thioreductase motif within flanking residues. The present invention discloses methods to elicit immature antigen-presenting cells loaded with apoptotic cells or with apoptotic bodies for suppressing or preventing diseases such as autoimmune diseases, graft rejection and allergic diseases, and medicaments related thereto. Further disclosed are the use of antigen-specific regulatory cells for suppressing or preventing diseases such as autoimmune diseases, graft rejection and allergic diseases, and medicaments related thereto. Further disclosed are populations of antigen-specific regulatory cells obtained by this method.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an ex vivo method for producing a preparation containing CD4+ T cells specific for EBV structural antigens for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with a reduced T cell activity in order to prevent or treat growth of EBV infected B cells.