Abstract: The artificial antigen-presenting cells (AAPCs) described in this review were generated to facilitate the production of virus-specific T-cells for the treatment of infections in patients after bone marrow transplant. These AAPCs consist of murine 3T3 cells genetically modified to express critical human molecules needed for T-cell stimulation, such as the co-stimulatory molecules B7.1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3 and one of a series of 6 common HLA class I alleles. When T-cells were sensitized against cytomegalovirus (CMV) using AAPCs that express a shared HLA allele or using autologous antigen-presenting cells (APCs) loaded with the CMVpp65 antigen, they were activated and expanded to become HLA-restricted CMVpp65-specific T-cells. These T-cells demonstrated functional activity in vitro against CMV by producing IFNγ and inducing CMVpp65-specific cytotoxicity. T-cells sensitized with AAPCs recognized antigenic epitopes presented by each HLA allele known to be immunogenic in Man. Sensitization with AAPCs also permitted expansion of IFNγ+ cytotoxic T-cells against subdominant epitopes that were not effectively recognized by T-cells sensitized with autologous APCs. This panel of AAPCs provides a source of immediately accessible, standardizable, and replenishable "off the shelf" cellular reagents with the potential to make adoptive immunotherapy widely available for the treatment of lethal infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. ... Read more

Abstract: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Antigen-presenting cells process antigens, form a molecular complex with its own major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule, and present the complex to immune T cells. Type 1 diabetes, as in other autoimmune diseases may have MHC molecules that turn in self tissue components as the target for immune attack. Gene therapy is being explored to replace the self-inflicting MHC with one from a healthy donor. ... Read more

Abstract: Tumor suppresses immune functions. Immunotherapy with self immune cells taken from the body, empowered in petri dishes, and returned to the body remains a valuable means to contain tumor. The procedure for enhancing immune cells outside the body has not been efficient and reliable. Authors described an innovative technology to address the problem. ... Read more

It is well known that HIV can escape from antibody responses, sometimes entirely, by mutating the envelope proteins. But whether HIV can escape from cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses has not been firmly established. In addition, individuals’ HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genes differ and the impact that the distinct HLA types impose on HIV’s mutation and evolution at the population level remains largely unknown.

HLA class I molecules, i.e., the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, impose restrictions on the epitopes CTLs recognize via their T cell receptors. CTLs recognize antigenic epitopes (antigenic determinants) in complex with HLA class ... Read more

Pharmacogenomics, or personalized medicine based on genetic variations, has been indicated for AIDS, which is among a growing list of conditions that are the beneficiaries of the genomic revolution. Doctors may soon be able to check the version of a group of genes among HIV-1 positive individuals and avoid giving a commonly used drug to those who will have severe side effects, according to a study published in the March 2 issue of The Lancet.

Abacavir is a commonly used anti-HIV-1 drug, but with about 5% of the users developing a sometimes life-threatening drug hypersensitivity reaction. There were lines of evidence ... Read more