Standardized ex vivo platforms for the antigen-specific expansion of cd4+ t cell populations

Abstract

This invention relates to methods, peptides, nucleic acids and cells for use in isolating and expanding human T cell populations in an antigen-specific manner for immunodiagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The invention also relates to professional antigen presenting cells derived from pluripotent human stem cells, and to customizable antigen presentation by the antigen presenting cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprising a single peptide antigen attached to an HLA-DRA alpha chain peptide through a peptide linker. 
     
     
         2 . A fusion protein comprising a single peptide antigen attached to an HLA-DRA alpha chain peptide through a peptide linker, wherein said single peptide antigen is bound to the binding pocket of said HLA-DRA alpha chain peptide. 
     
     
         3 . A dendritic cell comprising a single peptide antigen presented on the surface of said dendritic cell, wherein said single peptide antigen is attached to an HLA-DRA alpha chain peptide through a peptide linker.