Uses of il-12 and the il-12 receptor positive cell in tissue repair and regeneration

Abstract

The present application relates to stem cells isolated from various sources within the body of a patient or of a healthy donor and identified by the presence of the interleukin 12 (IL-12) receptor. The present application also provides methods for making and for using the stem cells.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for repairing or activating cells in a subject comprising:
 (a) isolating a cell population that expresses the IL-12 receptor;   (b) exposing the cell population to exogenous IL-12 ligand; and   (c) administering the cell population to a subject.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the cell population is isolated using an antibody that binds the beta 2 subunit of the IL-12 receptor. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising administering exogenous IL-12 ligand to the subject following administration of the cell population. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subject has diabetes. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subject has one or more blood cell counts that are below normal range due to the effects of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the cell population is administered to an organ selected from the group consisting of kidney, liver, lung, spleen, pancreas, and cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         31 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method of regenerating tissue of a subject in vivo comprising:
 administering exogenous IL-12 ligand to a subject;   wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand binds to the IL-12 receptor on a population of cells in the tissue to yield an increase in the number IL-12 receptor positive stem cells.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a route of exogenous IL-12 ligand administration is selected from the group consisting of epidural, peridural, intracerebral, intrathecal, intracerebroventricular, enteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, intrauterine, and intraperitoneal. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the method is for regenerating kidney tissue of a subject in vivo and
 wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand binds to the IL-12 receptor on a population of kidney cells to yield an increase in the number IL-12 receptor positive stem cells.   
     
     
         39 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the method is for regenerating intestinal tissue of a subject in vivo and
 wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand binds to the IL-12 receptor on a population of intestinal cells to yield an increase in the number IL-12 receptor positive stem cells.   
     
     
         43 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the subject has cancer. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the cell population is administered by intravenous infusion. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the method is for regenerating neuronal tissue of a subject in vivo and wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand binds to the IL-12 receptor on a population of neuronal cells to yield an increase in the number IL-12 receptor positive stem cells. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand comprises at least one IL-12 ligand selected from the group consisting of IL-12 heterodimer ligand, IL-12 homodimer ligand, IL-12 monomer ligand, a p35 subunit of an IL-12 heterodimer ligand, and a p40 subunit of an IL-12 heterodimer ligand. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the IL-12 ligand is glycosylated. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand comprises at least one IL-12 ligand selected from the group consisting of IL-12 heterodimer ligand, IL-12 homodimer ligand, IL-12 monomer ligand, a p35 subunit of an IL-12 heterodimer ligand, and a p40 subunit of an IL-12 heterodimer ligand. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the IL-12 ligand is glycosylated. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 100 ng/kg up to about 500 ng/kg. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 397.4 ng/kg or less. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 250 ng/kg or less. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 100 ng/kg up to about 500 ng/kg. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 397.4 ng/kg or less. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the exogenous IL-12 ligand is administered at a dose of about 250 ng/kg or less.