Ex vivo method of generating super regulatory T cells for the prevention of autoimmune disease

An ex vivo method to prepare regulatory T cells, comprising:

• providing complexes comprising a modulator of T cells that induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) and a polymer comprising a compound of formula (I):
• wherein each of X1 and X2 independently is O or —CH2—;
• each of Y11 and Y12 is independently a linking group comprising a carbonyl group;
• each of Z11 and Z12 comprises
• each of Y21 and Y22 is independently a linking group comprising a carbonyl group;
• each of Z21 and Z22 is ORz, wherein each Rz is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or
• substituted aryl;
• each of R and R2 is hydrogen;
• and each of m and n independently is selected from an integer from 2 to 50;
• and
• contacting a population of mammalian cells comprising T cells with the complexes in an amount and under conditions effective to induce an increased number of Tregs relative to a corresponding population that is contacted with the polymer but not the modulator or contacted with the modulator but not the polymer, or not contacted with the complexes, wherein the modulator is a modulator of protein kinase C-theta, wherein the modulator comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof that is specific for the phosphorylated form of protein kinase C-theta, and wherein the antibody or the fragment thereof binds to protein kinase C-theta that is phosphorylated at residue 538.