Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune conditions

Abstract

The methods include selectively reducing or expanding T cells according to the antigenic specificity of the T cells. Therefore, the present invention can be used to reduce or eliminate pathogenic T cells that recognize autoantigens, such as beta cell specific T cells. As such, the present invention can be used to prevent, treat or ameliorate autoimmune diseases such as IDDM. Furthermore, the present invention can be used to expand desirable T cells, such as anti-pathogenic T cells to prevent, treat and/or ameliorate autoimmune diseases.

1 . A method of diagnosing, preventing, or treating an autoimmune disorder comprising administering to a subject an antigen-MHC complex operatively coupled to a microparticle or nanoparticle to a subject in an amount sufficient to expand non-pathogenic autoreactive T cells. 
     
     
         2 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method for expanding and/or developing populations of anti-pathogenic autoreactive T-cells in a subject which method comprises administering to that subject with a auto-antigen epitope-MHC-substrate complex wherein said complex is administered in amount and frequency sufficient to expand said populations. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein a plurality of auto-antigen epitopes are contained in said auto-antigen epitope-MHC substrate complex. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said plurality of auto-antigen epitopes are derived from a single auto-antigen. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said plurality of auto-antigen epitopes are derived from a plurality of auto-antigens. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the expanded population of anti-pathogenic autoreactive T-cells are antigen specific but suppress in a non-antigen-specific manner. 
     
     
         52 . The method of any of  claim 47 ,  49  or  50 , wherein the administration of said substrate complex depletes the population of cognate pathogenic autoreactive T cells. 
     
     
         53 . A auto-antigen epitope-MHC-substrate complex. 
     
     
         54 . The auto-antigen epitope-MHC substrate complex of  claim 53 , wherein said substrate comprises a microparticle or nanoparticle. 
     
     
         55 . The auto-antigen epitope-MHC substrate complex of  claim 54  wherein said microparticle or nanoparticle is covalently bound to the MHC group of the auto-antigen epitope-MHC complex wherein said binding is optionally via a linker.