Regulatory T cells suppress autoimmunity

Abstract

The invention provides methods for producing an autoantigen-specific regulatory T Cell enriched composition, and resultant compositions and methods of use.

1 . A method of modulating an autoimmune response in a subject, said method comprising: 
 obtaining a population of subject-compatible cells;    producing a predetermined autoantigen-specific regulatory T cell enriched composition from said population of cells; and    introducing said composition into said subject to modulate said autoimmune response in said subject.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said population of cells is obtained from said subject.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said population of cells is obtained from a donor distinct from said subject.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said population of cells is harvested from peripheral blood.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said producing step comprises expanding said antigen-specific regulatory T cells.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said expanding is achieved by contacting said population of cells with an autoantigen-specific regulatory T cell stimulatory composition.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein regulatory T cells are enriched from said population of cells prior to said expanding step.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein regulatory T cells are enriched from said population after said expanding step.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said stimulatory composition comprises an MHC class II/autoantigenic peptide complex.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said stimulatory composition comprises a costimulatory agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said costimulatory agent is an agonist antibody.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said agonist antibody binds to CD28.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said stimulatory composition comprises a second regulatory T cell stimulatory agent.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said second stimulating agent is a cytokine.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said cytokine is an interleukin.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said interleukin is interleukin-2.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said stimulatory composition is immobilized on a substrate.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said substrate is a cell.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said substrate is a bead.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said producing step comprises enriching said autoantigen-specific regulatory T cells from said obtained population of cells.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said modulating comprises inhibiting.  
     
     
         22 - 40 . (canceled)