In vivo expanded NKT cells and methods of use thereof
AssigneesThe Rockefeller University, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.
InventorsMadhav Dhodapkar, Ralph Steinman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to the in vivo expansion of NKT cells by their exposure to mature dendritic cells expressing α-galactosyl ceramide and to methods of use thereof in modulating immune responses, such as anti-cancer responses, and enhancing memory responses.
Claims20
A method for expanding an NKT cell population, said method comprising:
- a. contacting a mature dendritic cells with α-galactosyl ceramide;
- and
- b. contacting the cells in (a) with an NKT cell population,
- whereby said NKT cell undergoes expansion in said subject to yield at least 100 NKT cells per 1×106 lymphocytes in peripheral blood.
A method for expanding an NKT cell population in vivo, said method comprising:
- a. contacting a mature dendritic cells with α-galactosyl ceramide;
- and
- b. contacting the cells in (a) with an NKT cell population in a subject,
- whereby said NKT cell undergoes expansion in said subject for a period of at least two months, following contact with said cells in (a).
A method for stimulating or enhancing an immune response in a subject, said method comprising:
- a. contacting mature dendritic cells with α-galactosyl ceramide;
- b. contacting the cells in (a) with an NKT cell population in said subject, whereby said NKT cell population undergoes expansion to yield at least 100 NKT cells per 1×106 lymphocytes in peripheral blood of said subject and said NKT cell population participates in said immune response.
A method for delaying onset, reducing incidence, suppressing or reducing the severity of neoplasia in a subject, comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting mature dendritic cells isolated from a subject having or predisposed to having neoplasia with α-galactosyl ceramide;
- and
- b. contacting the cells in (a) with an NKT cell population in a subject;
- whereby said NKT cells undergo expansion to yield at least 100 NKT cells per 1×106 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of said subject and said NKT cells participate in an anti-neoplastic response in said subject.
An in vivo-expanded NKT cell population isolated from a subject, wherein said population is characterized by CD4+, CD8+ or CD4−CD8− surface expression and wherein said population is at a concentration of at least 100 NKT cells per 1×106 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of said subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.