Title:  Use of cytokines and mitogens to inhibit pathological immune responses

United States Patent:  6,358,506

Assignee:  University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

Filed:  May 4, 2000

The invention is generally related to methods of treating autoimmune diseases, including both antibody-mediated and cell-mediated disorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objects outlined herein, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting immune responses in a sample of ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) comprising adding an regulatory composition to the cell population.

In an additional aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating an autoimmune disorder in a patient. The methods comprise removing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the patient and treating the cells with an regulatory composition for a time sufficient to suppress inflamation and tissue injury. In particular, the methods of the present invention suppress antibody production or induce cells to down regulate antibody production and enhance cell mediated immune responses in patients with antibody mediated autoimmune diseases. The treated cells are then reintroduced to the patient, with a resulting amelioration of the autoimmune symptoms. The regulatory composition preferably comprises TGF-.beta. and agents which enable T cells to respond to TGF-.beta..

In an additional aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The methods comprise removing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the patient and treating the cells with an regulatory composition for a time sufficient to suppress tissue injury by immune cells. The treated cells are then reintroduced to the patient, with a resulting amelioration of the autoimmune symptoms. The regulatory composition preferably comprises TGF-.beta. and agents which enable T cells to respond to TGF-.beta..

In an additional aspect, the invention provides kits for the treatment of an autoimmune disorder in a patient. The kits comprise a cell treatment container adapted to receive cells from a patient with an antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder or a cell-mediated disorder and at least one dose of an regulatory composition.

Claim 1 of 12 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for treating an autoimmune disorder in a patient comprising:

a) removing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from said patient;

b) treating said cells with a regulatory composition for a time sufficient to suppress said cells' aberrant immune responses; and

c) reintroducing said cells to said patient.

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