Method for expanding cd4+cd25+t regulator cells

Abstract

A method for generating/expanding in vitro a CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory (Tr) cell and the use thereof in the treatment of diseases associated with a cell-mediated immune response (including T- and antibody-mediated responses).

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells producible by a method selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) an in vitro method for producing a CD4 + CD25 +  T regulatory (Tr) cell comprising incubating a T cell or a population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal with rapamycin or a derivative thereof; 
 (ii) an in vitro method for expanding or culturing a population of CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cells in a population of T cells comprising incubating a population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal with rapamycin or a derivative thereof; and 
 (iii) an in vitro method for selectively eliminating or reducing CD4 + CD25 −  T cells in a population of T cells comprising incubating a population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal with rapamycin or a derivative thereof. 
 
     
     
         27 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  wherein the population of T cells used in the in vitro method comprises CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cells and CD4 + CD25 −  T cells. 
     
     
         28 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  wherein the T cell or population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal used in the in vitro method is obtainable from a sample comprising T cells from a human or animal. 
     
     
         29 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 28  wherein the sample used in the in vitro method is a blood sample or a sample from a lymphoid organ. 
     
     
         30 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 28  wherein the T cell or population of T cells used in the in vitro method are CD4 +  T cells isolated from the human or animal sample. 
     
     
         31 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 28  wherein the T cell or population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal used in the in vitro method are purified prior to incubation with rapamycin. 
     
     
         32 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  wherein the T cell or population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal used in the in vitro method are activated. 
     
     
         33 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  wherein said in vitro method further comprises incubating the T cell or population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal in the presence of a cytokine. 
     
     
         34 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 33  wherein the cytokine used in the in vitro method is IL-2. 
     
     
         35 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  wherein the in vitro method further comprises incubating the T cell or population of T cells obtainable from a human or animal in the presence of an antigen. 
     
     
         36 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 35  wherein the antigen used in the in vitro method is an allergen, allo-antigen, self-antigen, food antigen, and microbial antigen. 
     
     
         37 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or a population of T cells according to  claim 26  for cellular therapy. 
     
     
         38 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or cell population according to claim  24  for the modulation of a cell-mediated immune response. 
     
     
         39 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or cell population according to  claim 38  where the cell mediated immune response is a T cell- or an antibody-mediated immune response. 
     
     
         40 . A CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or cell population according to  claim 38  for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of allogenic solid organ rejection and graft versus host disease. 
     
     
         41 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the CD4 + CD25 +  Tr cell or cell population according to  claim 26  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.