Patent 6,734,014

Recombinant dendritic cells are made by transforming a stem cell and differentiating the stem cell into a dendritic cell. The resulting dendritic cell is an antigen presenting cell which activates T cells against MHC class I-antigen targets. Kits, assays and therapeutics are based upon the activation of T cells by the recombinant dendritic cell. Cancer, viral infections and parasitic infections are all ameliorated by the recombinant dendritic cells, or corresponding activated T cells. Therapeutic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides new methods of making recombinant antigen presenting dendritic cells (DCs), which have been very difficult to transduce using existing methods. These new methods are applicable to the transduction of DCs with any recombinant nucleic acid. Also provided are new ways of expressing antigenic peptides on MHC molecules on the surface of the dendritic cells. It was surprisingly discovered that these expressed antigenic peptides are processed and displayed on the surface of the dendritic cells in the context of class I and class II MHC. These recombinant cells expressing antigenic peptides were found to be competent to activate T-cells against target cells expressing selected antigens in vivo. This provides powerful new treatments for cancers and cellular infections, as well as a variety of diagnostic and cell screening assays.

Naturally occurring dendritic cells are antigen presenting cells which activate T cell proliferation against target cells. Target cells express antigenic peptides in the context of MHC class I molecules on the surface of the target cell. Dendritic cells express related antigenic peptides on class I and class II MHC molecules. In a preferred use of the invention, dendritic cells are transformed with a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous protein which has a peptide subsequence corresponding to an antigenic peptide expressed on the surface of a target cell (on an MHC class I receptor). Preferably, a full-length protein is expressed, and several processed subsequences subsequently presented by the dendritic cell.

Surprisingly, heterologous proteins are expressed in the dendritic cell, processed into fragments, and expressed on the surface of the dendritic cell in the context of MHC class I and II molecules, making the dendritic cells capable of activating T cell proliferation against a target cell expressing the corresponding antigen. It is further demonstrated herein that T-cells activated by the dendritic cells of the invention by the methods of the invention are effective against established tumors and metastasis, in vivo. Thus, the present invention provides powerful new anti-cancer therapies based upon immunizing a patient with a recombinant dendritic cell, and/or T cell activated by a recombinant dendritic cell.

The new methods of transforming dendritic cells and expressing antigenic peptides on the surface of the cell to make the dendritic cell competent for T cell activation, provide significant advantages over prior art methods of loading peptides onto dendritic cells, including broader antigen expression and more efficient MHC class I and class II peptide loading, and the ability to expand the population of desired DCs, e.g., in culture. The invention has diagnostic, therapeutic and drug discovery assay uses.

DCs can be transduced with essentially any nucleic acid using the techniques provided. In one preferred embodiment, nucleic acids encoding cytokines (e.g., GM-CSF, an interleukin (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, etc.), or cell receptor ligands (e.g., transferrin, c-kit, viral receptor ligands, cytokine receptors, and the like) are transduced into stem cells to produce recombinant DC.

In one class of embodiments, the invention provides methods of transducing dendritic cells with selected nucleic acids. In the methods, a hematopoietic stem cell, e.g., a human CD34⁺ stem cell, is transduced with a selected nucleic acid, and the stem cell is then differentiated into a dendritic cell. Typically, the stem cell is differentiated in vitro using appropriate cytokines. For instance, mouse stem cells are differentiated into dendritic cells by incubating the stem cells in culture with murine GM-CSF. Typically, the concentration of GM-CSF in culture is at least about 0.2 ng/ml, and preferably at least about 1 ng/ml. Often the range will be between about 20 ng/ml and 200 ng/ml. In many preferred embodiments, the dose will be about 100 ng/ml. When human cells are transduced, human GM-CSF is used in similar ranges, and TNF-.alpha. is also added to facilitate differentiation. TNF-.alpha. is also typically added in about the same ranges. Optionally, SCF is added in similar dose ranges to make human DCs. Optionally, IL-4 is added in similar ranges, particularly for making murine DCs.

Ordinarily, the differentiation process is performed in vitro. Other cytokines such as IL-4 are optionally added to facilitate cell culture and cell differentiation. In addition, lipofectamine, or a similar transduction facilitating agent, is optionally added for improving gene transfer to cultures for producing recombinant DCs.

One preferred way of transducing a hematopoietic stem cell with a selected nucleic acid is to incubate the stem cell with a retroviral vector comprising the selected nucleic acid. Preferred vectors for stem cells include murine leukemia virus vectors. For human stem cells, murine leukemia virus vectors expressing Gibbon Ape leukemia virus envelopes are also preferred. For transducing murine stem cells, ecotropic envelopes are preferred.

Thus, the invention also provides recombinant dendritic cells with expression cassettes. The expression cassettes express proteins (or peptide fragments thereof) which are processed into antigenic peptides expressed on the surface of the dendritic MHC class I and II surface receptors. The expression cassettes typically comprise a strong promoter such as a t-RNA pol III promoter, or a pol II promoter with strong constitutive expression. One preferred pol II promoter is the retroviral murine leukemia virus LTR promoter. Example antigenic proteins expressed by the expression cassette include HER-2, MART-1, gp-100 and CEA, tyrosinase, MAGE, trp-1 and PSA.

In another preferred class of embodiments, the invention provides methods for activating T cells. In the methods, the T cell is contacted with a recombinant dendritic cell expressing a recombinant protein which is processed into antigenic peptides on the surface of the dendritic cell. The T cell is optionally contacted with the dendritic cell in vitro or in vivo. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, T cells are isolated from a mammal and incubated with recombinant dendritic cells in vitro. After incubation, the T cells can be used in assays, or re-introduced into the mammal to target and kill cells with antigenic peptides (bound to class I MHC molecules) corresponding to the peptides expressed on the surface of the dendritic cell. In another preferred embodiment, the recombinant dendritic cell is introduced into a mammal to activate the T cell in vivo. Preferred target cells are those expressing antigenic peptides in the context of MHC class I molecules, including cancer cells (e.g., prostate, colon, melanoma, and breast cancer cells), virally infected cells such as cells infected with an HIV, hepatitis or herpes virus, and parasitized cells including cells with intracellular bacterial infections and cells infected with parasites such as stages of P. falciparum (the primary causative agent for malaria).

The invention provides commercially valuable drug and cell assays. For instance, methods for detecting T cell mediated anti-cancer cell activity of a protein or peptide are provided. In the assays, a dendritic cell is transformed with a recombinant expression cassette encoding a heterologous protein or fragment thereof (e.g., an antigenic peptide) by the methods described herein. The T cell is contacted with the dendritic cell in vivo or in vitro, thereby activating the T cell against cells expressing a peptide antigen (on a MHC class I molecule) corresponding to an antigen expressed on the surface of the dendritic cell. To test whether the T cell has anti-cancer cell activity, a selected cancer cell (for instance a breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, or colon cancer cell) is incubated with the T-cell (in vitro or in vivo) and inhibition of cancer cell replication, or T-cell mediated cancer cell lysis, or specific cytokine release (e.g., GM-CSF, IFN-.gamma. or TNF-.alpha.) is observed. The assay is optionally performed in vitro, or optionally in vivo. By providing a way of discriminating proteins which can be targeted on cancer cells, the invention provides a commercially valuable assay. The same strategy can be applied to detect antigens or virally or parasitically infected cells by substitution of these cells for the cancer cells in the assay.

The activated T cells of the invention are generally cytotoxic against cells expressing antigenic peptides in the context of MHC which correspond to antigens expressed on antigen presenting cells. Thus, the invention provides a method for making T cells cytotoxic to selected target cells. In the methods, T cells are activated by contact with the recombinant dendritic cells of the invention, in vitro or in vivo.

The transformation of dendritic cells with target proteins changes the antigenic repertoire of the dendritic cell by causing processed peptide fragments to be expressed on the MHC molecules of the dendritic cell. Unlike untransformed dendritic cells, the recombinant transformed dendritic cells have processed peptide fragments derived from the target protein expressed on the surface of the dendritic cell.

In one embodiment, diagnostic assays are provided. These assays are used to determine whether a cell population (e.g., a blood or cell sample from a patient) express a selected antigen. In the assays, recombinant dendritic cells expressing the selected antigen are used to activate T-cells against the antigen. The cell population is then exposed to the activated T-cells, and lysis of the cells is monitored (e.g., by Trypan blue exclusion). If the observed lysis is higher than an appropriate control, the population of cells comprises the antigen. This can be used, e.g., to assess whether tumor cells express a particular antigen. In another class of diagnostic assays, the invention provides a way of monitoring precursor frequency and/or T-cell reactivity by exposure to recombinant DCs. This is an indicator of the effect of immunization with DCs.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

Dendritic cells (DC) are highly potent antigen presenting cells that are capable of activating quiescent T-cells, and stimulate effective anti-tumor immune responses. Dendritic cells have been effective against established tumors. Dendritic cells have several advantages over other forms of anti-tumor immunization, such as recombinant viral vaccines, in that the immunization method is entirely autologous, and therefore no problems with pre-existing neutralizing antibodies are expected, even with repeated dosing. In addition, dendritic cell immunizations can be used in combination with other methods of immunization.

The ability to constitutively express tumor antigen genes in dendritic cells, as taught herein, is a powerful method to uncover new tumor antigens in vitro and to actively immunize against cells expressing the antigens in vivo and ex vivo. Methods allowing efficient gene transfer into primary dendritic cells are useful for several reasons.

First, entire antigen genes can be introduced, allowing presentation of the entire protein by the dendritic cell. Second, by permanently and stably expressing the antigen gene in dendritic cells, the antigen is constitutively expressed, compared to only transient expression with more traditional peptide pulsing. Third, introduction of the entire protein allows the presentation of multiple, and even undefined, but important, epitopes. In addition, both class I and class II epitopes can be presented. Fourth, introduction of candidate tumor antigen genes or cDNA libraries allows the identification of novel tumor antigens against common cancers. Fifth, cytokine genes, such as GM-CSF can be introduced into dendritic cells, to potentially enhance their survival, immunogenicity or therapeutic effect. Sixth, Stimulatory ligands, such as CD40L, can be introduced in dendritic cells, to enhance their survival, immunogenicity or therapeutic effects. Seventh, transcription factors and other molecules important for dendritic cell differentiation are introduced to study the basic science of primary dendritic cell development.

The invention provides new methods of transforming antigen presenting dendritic cells. In a preferred use of the invention, the dendritic cells are transformed with a nucleic acid encoding a protein which has peptide subsequences expressed on the surface of target cells in the context of MHC class I molecules. The protein is expressed in the dendritic cell, processed into fragments, and expressed on the surface of the dendritic cell in the context of the MHC class I and class II receptors found on the surface of dendritic cells. These dendritic cells are capable of activating T cell proliferation of T cells cytotoxic to a target cell.

Typically, the dendritic cells of the invention are transformed by transforming a hematopoietic stem cell with a selected nucleic acid, followed by differentiation of the stem cell into the dendritic cell. A primary advantage of this strategy is that many known methods of transducing cells require the cell to be actively dividing for stable integration of the selected nucleic acid into the cellular genome. For instance, many retroviral gene therapy vectors can only transform actively dividing cells. It is now discovered that these methods of transducing and transforming cells do not work with dendritic cells. Thus, stem cells are transformed with selected nucleic acids in the methods of the invention, and then differentiated into dendritic cells which then stably express the selected nucleic acid.

The new methods of transforming dendritic cells and expressing antigenic peptides on the surface of the cell to make the dendritic cell competent for T cell activation provides significant advantages over prior art methods of loading peptides onto dendritic cells, including broader antigen expression and more efficient MHC class I and class II peptide loading. Peptide loading methods are of limited efficiency, and ordinarily only a single peptide is loaded. In contrast, it is shown herein that endogenous expression of a protein provides for efficient loading of MHC class I and class II molecules, and that a whole range of peptides derived from a selected target protein are presented on the surface of the dendritic cell for antigen presentation. These fundamental discoveries provide diagnostic, therapeutic and assay uses.

Epitopes from a variety of pathogens on a number of potential target cells are known to mediate T cell cytotoxicity of the target cells, and it is expected that one of skill is thoroughly familiar with the identity of many such antigens. T cells recognizing such epitopes are stimulated to proliferate in response to antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Examples of MHC class I bound antigens include prostate specific antigen (PSA), hepatitis B core and surface antigens (HBVc, HBVs) hepatitis C antigens, Epstein-Barr virus antigens, melanoma antigens (e.g., MAGE-1, MART-1 and gp 100), Colon cancer antigens (e.g., CEA), breast cancer antigens (e.g., HER-2) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens, herpes virus antigens, hepatitis (e.g., A, B, or C) tyrosinase, trp-1, Malarial antigens, or human papilloma virus (HPV) antigens. A nucleic acid encoding MART-1 is provided in FIG. 3.

DC can be transduced with essentially any nucleic acid using the techniques provided. In one preferred embodiment, nucleic acids encoding cytokines (e.g., GM-CSF, an interleukin (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, etc.), or cell receptor ligands (e.g., transferrin, c-kit, CD40 ligand, viral receptor ligands, cytokine receptors, and the like) are transduced into stem cells to produce recombinant DC expressing the encoded protein or peptide. Cytokines and cytokine receptors, such as interleukins and interleukin receptors, c kit and the c kit receptor (see, Schwartzenberger et al. (1996) Blood 87: 472-478), as well as cell ligands (e.g., CD40), chemokines, as well as recombinant antibodies and cell surface molecules, and the like are known, and commercially available. Cytokines include, e.g., IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, TNF.alpha., IL-6, interferons alpha, beta and gamma, and GM/CSF. See also, Cao et al. (1995) Cancer Res Clin Oncol 121(12):721-8; Dalgleish, (1994) Gene Ther 1(2):83-7; Suminami et al. (1995) J Immunother Emphasis Tumor Immunol 17(4):238-48; Abe et al. (1995) J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 121(9-10):587-92; Garbe and Krasagakis, (1993) Invest Dermatol 100(2 Suppl):239S-244S. For a review of the chemokine family, see, e.g., Lodi et al. (1994) Science 263: 1762-1767; Gronenborn and Clore (1991) Protein Engineering 4: 263-269; Miller and Kranger (1992) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89: 2950-2954; Matsushima and Oppenheim (1989) Cytokine 1: 2-13; Stoeckle and Baker (1990) New Biol. 2: 313-323; Oppenheim et al. (1991) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 9: 617-648; Schall (1991) Cytokine 3: 165-183; and The Cytokine Handbook Academic Press, NY.

Nucleic acids encoding cytokines, growth factors, cell receptor ligands, etc., for increasing the survival, differentiation, selection (e.g., by transducing the cells with a selectable marker such as an antibiotic resistance gene), immunogenicity, or therapeutic effect of the cells are all preferably placed into a recombinant expression cassette and used to transduce DCs. DCs are optionally made which express a peptide on an MHC molecule, and simultaneously express a cytokine and/or other gene.

In preferred embodiments, primary stem cells are differentiated into dendritic cells. One of skill will appreciate that many therapeutic applications are improved by administering autologous cells to a patient, i.e., cells which were originally isolated from the patient, or which are derived from a patient by culturing isolated cells. These autologous cells are less likely to cause immune complications upon reintroduction into the patient. Moreover, primary isolates of dendritic cells are the most refractory to transduction by heterologous nucleic acids. Because the invention provides transformed dendritic cells derived from primary cell culture of stem cells, the invention overcomes this significant problem in the art.

Isolating Stem Cells

Stem cells are isolated for transduction and differentiation into dendritic cells in the methods of the invention. Many ways of isolating stem cells are known.

In mice, bone marrow cells are isolated, e.g., by sacrificing the mouse and cutting the leg bones with a pair of scissors. Stem cells are isolated from bone marrow cells by panning the bone marrow cells with antibodies which bind unwanted cells, such as CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ (T cells), CD45⁺ (panB cells), GR-1 (granulocytes), and Ia^d (differentiated antigen presenting cells). For an example of this protocol see, Inaba et al. (1992) J. Exp. Med. 176, 1693-1702.

Human CD34⁺ cells can be obtained from a variety of sources, including cord blood, bone marrow, and mobilized peripheral blood. Purification of CD34⁺ cells can be accomplished by antibody affinity procedures. An affinity column isolation procedure for isolating CD34⁺ cells is described by Ho et al. (1995) Stem Cells 13 (suppl. 3): 100-105. See also, Brenner (1993) Journal of Hematotherapy 2: 7-17. Yu et al. (1995) PNAS 92: 699-703 describe a method of transducing CD34⁺ cells from human fetal cord blood using retroviral vectors.

In humans, bone marrow aspirations from iliac crests are optionally performed e.g., under general anesthesia in the operating room. The bone marrow aspiration is approximately 1,000 ml in quantity and is collected from the posterior iliac bones and crests. If the total number of cells collected is < about 2x10⁸ /kg, a second aspiration is optionally performed, e.g., using the sternum and/or anterior iliac crests in addition to posterior crests. During the operation, two units of irradiated packed red cells are administered to replace the volume of marrow taken by the aspiration. Human hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells are characterized by the presence of a CD34 surface membrane antigen. This antigen is often used for purification. After the bone marrow is harvested, the mononuclear cells are separated from the other components by means of ficol gradient centrifugation. This is performed by a semi-automated method using a cell separator (e.g., a Baxter Fenwal CS3000+ or Terumo machine). The light density cells, composed mostly of mononuclear cells are collected and the cells are incubated in plastic flasks at 37^oC. for 1.5 hours. The adherent cells (monocytes, macrophages and B-Cells) are discarded. The non-adherent cells are then collected and incubated with a monoclonal anti-CD34 antibody (e.g., the murine antibody 9C5) at 4^oC. for 30 minutes with gentle rotation. The final concentration for the anti-CD34 antibody is 10 .mu.g/ml. After two washes, paramagnetic microspheres (Dyna Beads, supplied by Baxter Immunotherapy Group, Santa Ana, Calif.) coated with sheep antimouse IgG (Fc) antibody are added to the cell suspension at a ratio of 2 cells/bead. After a further incubation period of 30 minutes at 4^oC., the rosetted cells with magnetic beads are collected with a magnet. Chymopapain (supplied by Baxter Immunotherapy Group, Santa Ana, Calif.) at a final concentration of 200 U/ml is added to release the beads from the CD34+ cells. Alternatively, and preferably, an affinity column isolation procedure can be used which binds to CD34, or to antibodies bound to CD34 (see, the examples below).

In another highly preferred embodiment, CD34⁺ cells are isolated from peripheral blood leukapheresis after G-CSF mobilization as described more fully in the examples below.

Transducing and Culturing Stem Cells

Several ways of transforming stem cells are known, including calcium phosphate precipitation, fusion of the recipient cells with bacterial protoplasts containing the DNA, treatment of the recipient cells with liposomes containing the DNA, DEAE dextran, receptor-mediated endocytosis, electroporation, micro-injection of the DNA directly into the cells, incubating viral vectors containing selected nucleic acids which encode polypeptides of interest with cells within the host range of the vector, calcium phosphate transfection, and many other techniques known to those of skill. See, e.g., Methods in Enzymology, vol. 185, Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (D. V. Goeddel, ed.) (1990) or M. Krieger, Gene Transfer and Expression--A Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, New York, N.Y., (1990) and the references cited therein, as well as Berger and Kimmel, Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, Methods in Enzymology volume 152 Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (Berger); Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning--A Laboratory Manual (2nd ed.) Vol. 1-3; and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1994 Supplement) (Ausubel). Product information from manufacturers of biological reagents and experimental equipment also provide information useful in known biological methods. Such manufacturers include the SIGMA chemical company (Saint Louis, Mo.), R&D systems (Minneapolis, Minn.), Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology (Piscataway, N.J.), CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), Chem Genes Corp., Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.), Glen Research, Inc., GIBCO BRL Life Technologies, Inc. (Gaithersberg, Md.), Fluka Chemica-Biochemika Analytika (Fluka Chemie AG, Buchs, Switzerland), Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif., and Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.), as well as many other commercial sources known to one of skill.

Several approaches for introducing functional new genetic material into cells in vivo and ex vivo have been used. These include liposome based gene delivery (Debs and Zhu (1993) WO 93/24640; Mannino and Gould-Fogerite (1988) Biotechniques 6(7): 682-691; Rose U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,833; Brigham (1991) WO 91/06309; and Felgner et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84: 7413-7414) and replication-defective retroviral vectors harboring a therapeutic polynucleotide sequence as part of the retroviral genome (see, e.g., Miller et al. (1990) Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:4239 (1990); Kolberg (1992) J. NIH Res. 4:43, and Cometta et al. Hum. Gene Ther. 2:215 (1991)). Widely used retroviral vectors include those based upon murine leukemia virus (MuLV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), ecotropic retroviruses, simian immuno deficiency virus (SIV), human immuno deficiency virus (HIV), and combinations thereof. See, e.g., Buchscher et al. (1992) J. Virol. 66(5) 2731-2739; Johann et al (1992) J. Virol. 66 (5):1635-1640 (1992); Sommerfelt et al., (1990) Virol. 176:58-59; Wilson et al. (1989) J. Virol. 63:2374-2378; Miller et al., J. Virol. 65:2220-2224 (1991), and Rosenburg and Fauci (1993) in Fundamental Immunology, Third Edition Paul (ed) Raven Press, Ltd., New York and the references therein, and Yu et al., Gene Therapy (1994) supra).

Retroviral Vectors

The preferred method of transforming stem cells is to incubate the cells with a viral vector, within the host range of the virus. Many such viral vectors are known, including retroviral vectors based on, e.g., HIV viruses, SIV viruses, murine retroviruses, gibbon ape leukemia virus and other viruses such as adeno associated viruses (AAVs) and adeno viruses.

Murine retroviral vectors are known in the art. The majority of the approved gene transfer trials in the United States rely on replication-defective retroviral vectors derived from murine retroviruses such as murine moloney retrovirus (referred to alternately as MoLv MoMuLv or MuLV in the art). See Miller et al. (1990) Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:4239; Kolberg R (1992) J. NIH Res. 4:43, and Cornetta et al. (1991) Hum. Gene Ther. 2:215. The major advantage of murine retroviral vectors for gene therapy are the high efficiency of gene transfer into certain types of replicating cells, the precise integration of the transferred genes into cellular DNA, and the lack of further spread of the sequences after gene transfer.

Murine vectors comprising Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus envelopes are more broadly infective than Murine retroviruses such as Murine leukemia virus, and can be used to transduce many mammalian stem cells, including human stem cells. Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus (GaLV) infects cells using the GaLV receptor, which is found on many cell types in many species. See, Johann et al., J. Virol. 66:1635-1640 (1992). GaLV can infect many mammalian species with the notable exception of mouse cells. The same receptor is used by simian sarcoma associated virus (SSAV), a strain of GaLV. Sommerfelt et al., Virol. 176:58-59 (1990).

The construction of hybrid virions having GaLV envelope proteins has been demonstrated. For instance, Wilson et al., J. Virol. 63:2374-2378 (1989), describe preparation of infectious hybrid virions with GaLV and human T-cell leukemia virus retroviral env glycoproteins and the gag and pol proteins of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV). In addition, Miller et al., J. Virol. 65:2220-2224 (1991), describe construction of hybrid packaging cell lines that express GaLV envelope and MoMLV gag-pol proteins. Any of these vectors and methods of making retroviral clones can be applied to the present invention. GaLV Retroviral packaging cell lines can be used to provide infectious replication-defective hybrid virions for use in gene transfer in humans, hamsters, cows, cats, dogs, monkeys, chimpanzees, macaques, primates, and other species whose cells have host cell receptors for GaLV envelope proteins.

HIV-based retroviral vectors are made competent to transduce CD34⁺ cells by pseudotyping the vector. This is done, for example, by transducing the packaging cell line used to package the vector with a nucleic acid which encodes the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) envelope protein, which is then expressed on the surface of the HIV vector. VSV infects CD34⁺ cells, and pseudotype vectors expressing VSV envelope proteins are competent to transduce these cells (Naldini et al. (1996) Science 272:263).

Other HIV-based vector systems have been used. See, Akkina et al. (1996) J Virol 70:2581; Poznansky et al. (1991) J Virol 65:532; Parolin et al. (1994) Journal of Virology 68:3888; Richardson et al. (1995) Journal of General Virology 76:691; Buchschacher et al. (1992) Journal of Virology 66:2731; and Marlink et al. (1994) Science 265:1587.

A number of standard techniques are used to improve safety of retroviral vectors. For instance, a defective retroviral genome is introduced into the packaging cell separately from the genes encoding the core and envelope components. In this way, recombination between the genome and the core and envelope genes, which would lead to the packaging of complete viral genomes, is extremely unlikely. The resulting virions typically do not comprise the gag, pol, and env genes and are thus replication-defective. Homologous recombination, however, between the inserts can lead to the production of infectious virions. Accordingly, the packaging cells are produced by introducing the gag, pol, and env genes on at least two separate plasmids. This scheme effectively prevents homologous recombination leading to reconstruction of infectious virus because the probability of multiple, independent homologous recombination events occurring is extremely low.

Retroviral vectors can also be designed to prevent synthesis of viral proteins by the integrated defective genome. For instance, if a portion of the gag gene is included to increase packaging efficiency, a stop codon can be introduced into the gene to prevent synthesis of gag proteins. See, Miller et al., Biotechniques 7:982-988 (1989).

In addition, the cells used to make packaging cells do not typically possess a cell receptor for the relevant vector, and are thus not infectable by the vector. Thus, for instance, retroviral vector virions having the GaLV envelope cannot reinfect the packaging cells; thus, vector spread in the packaging cells is greatly reduced. Suitable packaging cells also have limited or no endogenous viral sequences. Cell lines for this purpose include the Mus dunni tail fibroblast cell line. This strategy decreases the potential for generation of recombinant vectors, which are often transmitted with higher efficiency than the parental vector.

Alternatively, genes are expressed in dendritic cells using recombinant adenoviral vectors, AAV vectors, pox viral vectors (B. Moss, "Poxvirus Expression Vectors", Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, Vol 158; 25-38, 1992) including vaccinia, fowl pox, and canary pox, recombinant influenza viral vectors (Garcia-Sastre, A., and P. Palese, "Influenza Virus Vectors", Biologicals, 23:171-178, 1995), or non-viral gene delivery techniques (F. Ledley, "Non-viral gene therapy", Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 5:626-636, 1994). Because some of these vectors do not require proliferating cells for gene transfer, dendritic cells are prepared by one of several methods available to those skilled in the art, such as preparation from peripheral blood over metrizamide gradient, culture of peripheral blood cells in GM-CSF and IL-4, and culture of CD34 cells in SCF, GM-CSF and TNF as described above.

Adeno Associated Viral Vectors

Adeno associated viruses (AAVs) require helper viruses such as adenovirus or herpes virus to achieve productive infection. In the absence of helper virus functions, AAV integrates (site-specifically) into a host cell's genome, but the integrated AAV genome has no pathogenic effect. The integration step allows the AAV genome to remain genetically intact until the host is exposed to the appropriate environmental conditions (e.g., a lytic helper virus), whereupon it re-enters the lytic life-cycle. Samulski (1993) Current Opinion in Genetic and Development 3:74-80 and the references cited therein provides an overview of the AAV life cycle. AAV-based vectors are used to transduce cells with selected nucleic acids, e.g., in the in vitro production of nucleic acids and peptides, and in in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy procedures. See, West et al. (1987) Virology 160:38-47; Carter et al. (1989) U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,368; Carter et al. WO 93/24641 (1993); Kotin (1994) Human Gene Therapy 5:793-801; Muzyczka (1994) J. Clin. Invst. 94:1351 and Samulski (supra) for an overview of AAV vectors.

The viral vectors above can be recombinantly combined with expression cassettes comprising selected nucleic acids (i.e. proteins or peptides to be expressed in dendritic cells) and incubated with the stem cells to achieve transduction. Alternately, expression cassettes comprising selected nucleic acids are packaged into viral particles using packaging cell lines, which are optionally incubated with the stem cell.

Adenoviruses (Ads) have many attractive properties for the transfer of genes, including relatively simple production of high titres of the virus and vectors based upon the virus, and low pathogenicity. Ads are well-characterized viruses, and have been widely used as nucleic acid vectors (reviewed in Haddada et al. (1995) in Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology Doerfler and Bohm (eds) Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg Germany; and Yu et al., Gene Therapy (1994) 1:13-26. See also, Sharp and Wadell (1995) in Principles and Practice of Clinical Virology, Third Edition Zuckerman et al. (eds) John Wiley & Sons Ltd. and the references cited therein and Randrianarison-Jewtoukoff and Periicaudet (1995) Biologicals 23: 145-157 and the references cited therein). One well-characterized Ad packaging cell line is the 293 cell line described in Haddada et al. (1995), supra. Ads are extrachromosomal viruses which do not integrate into the genome of cells transduced by the virus.

The culture of cells used in conjunction with the present invention, including cell lines and cultured cells from tissue or blood samples, including stem cells and dendritic cells is well known in the art. Freshney (Culture of Animal Cells, a Manual of Basic Technique, third edition Wiley-Liss, New York (1994)) and the references cited therein provides a general guide to the culture of cells. See also, Kuchler et al. (1977) Biochemical Methods in Cell Culture and Virology, Kuchler, R. J., Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Inc, and Inaba et al., supra.

Differentiating Stem Cells into Dendritic Cells

Transduced stem cells are differentiated into dendritic cells by incubating the cells with the appropriate cytokines. Inaba et al. described the in vitro differentiation of murine stem cells into dendritic cells by incubating the stem cells with murine GM-CSF. In brief, isolated stem cells are incubated with between 1 and 200 ng/ml murine GM-CSF, and preferably about 20 ng/ml GM-CSF in standard RPMI growth medium. The media is changed with fresh media about once every other day. After 7 days in culture, a large percentage of cells are dendritic, as assessed by expression of surface markers and morphology. Dendritic cells are isolated by florescence activated cell sorting (FACS) or by other standard methods.

Human cells CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells are preferably differentiated in vitro by culturing the cells with human GM-CSF and TNF-.alpha.. See, the examples and Szabolcs et al. (1995) 154: 5851-5861.

For mouse DCs, murine stem cells are differentiated into dendritic cells by incubating the stem cells in culture with murine GM-CSF. Typically, the concentration of GM-CSF in culture is at least about 0.2 ng/ml, and preferably at least about 1 ng/ml. Often the range will be between about 20 ng/ml and 200 ng/ml. In many preferred embodiments, the dose will be about 100 ng/ml. IL-4 is optionally added in similar ranges for making murine DCs.

When human cells are transduced, human GM-CSF is used in similar ranges, and TNF-.alpha. is also added to facilitate differentiation. TNF-.alpha. is also typically added in about the same ranges. Optionally, SCF or other proliferation ligand (e.g., Flt3) is added in similar dose ranges to make human DCs.

It will be appreciated that all of these dose ranges for differentiating stem cells are approximate. Different suppliers and different lots of cytokine from the same supplier vary in the activity of the cytokine. One of skill can easily titrate each cytokine which is used to determine the optimal dose for any particular cytoline. An example titration is performed in the Examples, supra.

Isolation of and Expansion of T Cells

T cells are isolated from mammals in some embodiments of the invention where the T cell is activated in vitro by contact with a dendritic cell of the invention. Several techniques are known. The expression of surface markers facilitates identification and purification of T cells. Methods of identification and isolation of T cells include FACS, incubation in flasks with fixed antibodies which bind the particular cell type and panning with magnetic beads.

In one method, Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation is used to separate PBMC from red blood cells and neutrophils according to established procedures. Cells are washed with modified AIM-V (which consists or AIM-V (GIBCO) with 2 mM glutamine, 10 .mu.g/ml gentamicin sulfate, 50 .mu.g/ml streptomycin) supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum FBS). Enrichment for T cells is performed by negative or positive selection with appropriate monoclonal antibodies coupled to columns or magnetic beads according to standard techniques. An aliquot of cells is analyzed for cell surface phenotype including CD4, CD8, CD3 and CD14.

Cells are washed and resuspended at a concentration of 5x10⁵ cells per ml of AIM-V modified as above and containing 5% FBS and 100 U/ml recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) (supplemented AIM-V). Where the cells are isolated from and HIV⁺ patient, 25 nM CD4-PE40 (a recombinant protein consisting of the HIV-1-binding CD4 domain linked to the translocation and ADP-ribosylation domains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A), or other similar recombinant cytotoxic molecule which selectively hybridizes to HIV is added to the cell cultures for the remainder of the cell expansion to selectively remove HIV infected cells from the culture. CD4-PE40 has been shown to inhibit p24 production in HIV-1-infected cell cultures and to selectively kill HIV-1-infected cells.

To stimulate proliferation, OKT3 monoclonal antibody (Ortho Diagnostics) is added to a concentration of 10 ng/ml and the cells are plated in 24 well plates with 0.5 ml per well. The cells are cultured at 37^oC. in a humidified incubator with 5% CO₂ for 48 hours. Media is aspirated from the cells and 1 ml of vector-containing supernatant (described below) supplemented with 5 .mu.l/ml of protamine sulfate, 100 U/ml rIL-2, 100 U/ml penicillin, 0.25 .mu.g/ml amphotericin B/ml and an additional 100 .mu.g/ml streptomycin (25 nM CD4-PE40 can be added as described above).

Isolating Cells with Selectable Markers

A variety of cells are used in the methods of the invention, including stem cells, T cells and dendritic cells. Each of these cell types is characterized by expression of particular markers on the surface of the cell, and lack of expression of other markers. For instance, human stem cells typically express CD34 antigen. Dendritic cells express MHC molecules and costimulatory molecules (e.g., B7-1 and B7-2), a lack of markers specific for granulocytes, NK cells, B cells, and T cells. In the mouse, some (but not all) dendritic cells express 33D1 (DC from spleen and Peyer's patch, but not skin or thymic medulla), NLDC145 (DC in skin and T-dependent regions of several lymphoid organs and CD11c (CD11c also reacts with macrophage). T cells are positive for various markers depending on the particular subtype, most notably CD4 and CD8.

The expression of surface markers facilitates identification and purification of these cells. These methods of identification and isolation include FACS, column chromatography, panning with magnetic beads, western blots, radiography, electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), hyperdiffusion chromatography, and the like, and various immunological methods such as fluid or gel precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion (single or double), immunoelectrophoresis, radioimmunoassays (RIAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunofluorescent assays, and the like. For a review of immunological and immunoassay procedures in general, see Stites and Terr (eds.) 1991 Basic and Clinical Immunology (7th ed.) and Paul supra. For a discussion of how to make antibodies to selected antigens see, e.g. Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene, NY; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY; Stites et al. (eds.) Basic and Clinical Immunology (4th ed.)

Cell isolation or immunoassays for detection of cells during cell purification can be performed in any of several configurations, e.g., those reviewed in Maggio (ed.) (1980) Enzyme Immunoassay CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.; Tijan (1985) "Practice and Theory of Enzyme Immunoassays," Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam; Harlow and Lane, supra; Chan (ed.) (1987) Immunoassay: A Practical Guide Academic Press, Orlando, Fla.; Price and Newman (eds.) (1991) Principles and Practice of Immunoassays Stockton Press, NY; and Ngo (ed.) (1988) Non-isotopic Immunoassays Plenum Press, NY.

Most preferably, cells are isolated and characterized by flow cytometry methods such a FACS analysis. A wide variety of flow-cytometry methods are known. For a general overview of fluorescence activated flow cytometry see, for example, Abbas et al. (1991) Cellular and Molecular immunology W.B. Saunders Company, particularly chapter 3, and Kuby (1992) Immunology W.H. Freeman and Company, particularly chapter 6. FACS machines are available, e.g., from Becton Dickinson.

Labeling agents which can be used to label cell antigen include e.g., monoclonal antibodies, a polyclonal antibodies, proteins, or other polymers such as affinity matrices, carbohydrates or lipids. Detection proceeds by any known method, such as immunoblotting, western blot analysis, tracking of radioactive or bioluminescent markers, capillary electrophoresis, or other methods which track a molecule based upon size, charge or affinity. The particular label or detectable group used and the particular assay are not critical aspects of the invention. The detectable moiety can be any material having a detectable physical or chemical property. Such detectable labels have been well-developed in the field of gels, columns, solid substrates cell cytometry and immunoassays and, in general, any label useful in such methods can be applied to the present invention. Thus, a label is any composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical means. Useful labels in the present invention include magnetic beads (e.g. Dynabeads.TM.), fluorescent dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, and the like), radiolabels (e.g., 3H, 125I, 35S, 14C, or 32P), enzymes (e.g., LacZ, CAT, horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and others, commonly used as detectable enzymes, either as marker gene products or in an ELISA), nucleic acid intercalators (e.g., ethidium bromide) and colorimetric labels such as colloidal gold or colored glass or plastic (e.g. polystyrene, polypropylene, latex, etc.) beads.

The label is coupled directly or indirectly to the desired component of the assay according to methods well known in the art. As indicated above, a wide variety of labels are used, with the choice of label depending on the sensitivity required, ease of conjugation of the compound, stability requirements, available instrumentation, and disposal provisions. Non radioactive labels are often attached by indirect means. Generally, a ligand molecule (e.g., biotin) is covalently bound to a polymer. The ligand then binds to an anti-ligand (e.g., streptavidin) molecule which is either inherently detectable or covalently bound to a signal system, such as a detectable enzyme, a fluorescent compound, or a chemiluminescent compound. A number of ligands and anti-ligands can be used. Where a ligand has a natural anti-ligand, for example, biotin, thyroxine, and cortisol, it can be used in conjunction with labeled, anti-ligands. Alternatively, any haptenic or antigenic compound can be used in combination with an antibody.

Labels can also be conjugated directly to signal generating compounds, e.g., by conjugation with an enzyme or fluorophore. Enzymes of interest as labels will primarily be hydrolases, particularly phosphatases, esterases and glycosidases, or oxidoreductases, particularly peroxidases. Fluorescent compounds include fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, umbelliferone, etc. Chemiluminescent compounds include luciferin, and 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, e.g., luminol. For a review of various labelling or signal producing systems which are used, see, U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,904, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Means of detecting labels are well known to those of skill in the art. Thus, for example, where the label is a radioactive label, means for detection include a scintillation counter or photographic film as in autoradiography. Where the label is a fluorescent label, it is optionally detected by exciting the fluorochrome with the appropriate wavelength of light and detecting the resulting fluorescence, e.g., by microscopy, visual inspection, via photographic film, by the use of electronic detectors such as charge coupled devices (CCDs) or photomultipliers and the like. Similarly, enzymatic labels are detected by providing appropriate substrates for the enzyme and detecting the resulting reaction product.

Finally, simple calorimetric labels are often detected simply by observing the color associated with the label. Thus, in various dipstick assays, conjugated gold often appears pink, while various conjugated beads appear the color of the bead.

Some assay formats do not require the use of labeled components. For instance, agglutination assays can be used to detect the presence of antibodies. In this case, cells are agglutinated by samples comprising the antibodies bound to the cells. In this format, none of the components need be labeled and the presence of the target antibody is detected by simple visual inspection.

Depending upon the assay, various components, including the antibody, or anti-antibody, are typically bound to a solid surface. For instance, in one preferred embodiment, unwanted cells are panned out of bone marrow using appropriate antibodies bound to a substrate over which the cells are passed. Many methods for immobilizing biomolecules to a variety of solid surfaces are known in the art. For instance, the solid surface is optionally a membrane (e.g., nitrocellulose), a microtiter dish (e.g., PVC, polypropylene, or polystyrene), a test tube (glass or plastic), a dipstick (e.g. glass, PVC, polypropylene, polystyrene, latex, and the like), a microcentrifuge tube, a flask, or a glass, silica, plastic, metallic or polymer bead. The desired component is optionally covalently bound, or noncovalently attached through nonspecific bonding. A wide variety of organic and inorganic polymers, both natural and synthetic are optionally employed as the material for the solid surface. Illustrative polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(4-methylbutene), polystyrene, polymethacrylate, poly(ethylene terephthalate), rayon, nylon, poly(vinyl butyrate), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), silicones, polyformaldehyde, cellulose, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, and the like. Other materials which are appropriate depending on the assay include paper, glasses, ceramics, metals, metalloids, semiconductive materials, cements and the like. In addition, substances that form gels, such as proteins (e.g., gelatins), lipopolysaccharides, silicates, agarose and polyacrylamides can be used. Polymers which form several aqueous phases, such as dextrans, polyalkylene glycols or surfactants, such as phospholipids, long chain (12-24 carbon atoms) alkyl ammonium salts and the like are also suitable.

Diagnostic Assays

In one embodiment, diagnostic assays are provided. These assays are used to determine whether a cell population (e.g., a blood or cell sample from a patient) express a selected antigen. In the assays, recombinant dendritic cells expressing the selected antigen are used to activate T-cells against the antigen. The cell population is then exposed to the activated T-cells, and lysis of the cells is monitored (e.g., by trypan blue exclusion). If the observed lysis is higher than an appropriate control, the population of cells comprises the antigen. This can be used, e.g., to assess whether tumor cells express a particular antigen. If the tumor is found to express a particular antigen, a clinician can use the information to better select therapeutics against the tumor.

These diagnostic assays can be used in conjunction with the therapeutic aspects of the invention, i.e., a tumor sample can be screened against a panel of activated T-cells to determine which activated T-cells or recombinant DCs can be used to immunize against the tumor.

Immunizations can also be monitored with recombinant DCs. Precursor frequency and/or T-cell reactivity is monitored by exposure to recombinant DCs, e.g., using DCs corresponding to the DCs which were used for immunization or to stimulate T-cells.

Making Expression Cassettes

Many recombinant expression cassettes are known to persons of skill. These can be made using standard recombinant or synthetic techniques, and one of skill can construct a variety of clones containing functionally equivalent nucleic acids, such as nucleic acids which encode the same polypeptide. Cloning methodologies to accomplish these ends, and sequencing methods to verify the sequence of nucleic acids are well known in the art. Examples of appropriate cloning and sequencing techniques, and instructions sufficient to direct persons of skill through many cloning exercises are found in Berger, Sambrook and Ausbel (all supra). The nucleic acid compositions of this invention, whether RNA, DNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, or a hybrid of the various combinations, are isolated from biological sources or synthesized in vitro. The nucleic acids of the invention are present in transformed or transfected cells, in transformed or transfected cell lysates, or in a partially purified or substantially pure form.

In vitro amplification techniques suitable for amplifying sequences to be subcloned into an expression vector are known. Examples of techniques sufficient to direct persons of skill through such in vitro amplification methods, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the ligase chain reaction (LCR), Q.beta.-replicase amplification and other RNA polymerase mediated techniques (e.g., NASBA) are found in Berger, Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning--A Laboratory Manual (2nd Ed) Vol. 1-3; and Ausubel, as well as Mullis et al., (1987) U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; PCR Protocols A Guide to Methods and Applications (Innis et al. eds) Academic Press Inc. San Diego, Calif. (1990) (Innis); Arnheim & Levinson (Oct. 1, 1990) C&EN 36-47; The Journal Of NIH Research (1991) 3, 81-94; (Kwoh et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 1173; Guatelli et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 1874; Lomell et al. (1989) J. Clin. Chem 35, 1826; Landegren et al., (1988) Science 241, 1077-1080; Van Brunt (1990) Biotechnology 8, 291-294; Wu and Wallace, (1989) Gene 4, 560; Barringer et al. (1990) Gene 89, 117, and Sooknanan and Malek (1995) Biotechnology 13: 563-564. Improved methods of cloning in vitro amplified nucleic acids are described in Wallace et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,039.

Nucleic acid synthesis techniques are available, such as the solid phase phosphoramidite triester method described by Beaucage and Caruthers (1981), Tetrahedron Letts., 22(20):1859-1862, e.g., using an automated synthesizer, e.g., as described in Needham-VanDevanter et al. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res., 12:6159-6168. Nucleic acids can also be custom made and ordered from a variety of commercial sources known to persons of skill. Purification of oligonucleotides, where necessary, is typically performed by either native acrylamide gel electrophoresis or by anion-exchange HPLC as described in Pearson and Regnier (1983) J. Chrom. 255:137-149. The sequence of the synthetic oligonucleotides can be verified using the chemical degradation method of Maxam and Gilbert (1980) in Grossman and Moldave (eds.) Academic Press, New York, Methods in Enzymology 65:499-560.

One of skill will recognize many ways of generating alterations in a given nucleic acid sequence such as a known cancer marker. Such well-known methods include site-directed mutagenesis, PCR amplification using degenerate oligonucleotides, exposure of cells containing the nucleic acid to mutagenic agents or radiation, chemical synthesis of a desired oligonucleotide (e.g., in conjunction with ligation and/or cloning to generate large nucleic acids) and other well-known techniques. See, Giliman and Smith (1979) Gene 8:81-97; Roberts et al. (1987) Nature 328:731-734 and Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning--A Laboratory Manual (2nd Ed) Vol. 1-3; Innis, Ausbel, Berger, Needham VanDevanter and Mullis (all supra).

In addition to recombinant expression, polypeptides of the invention can be synthetically prepared in a wide variety of well-known ways. Polypeptides of relatively short size are typically synthesized in solution or on a solid support in accordance with conventional techniques. See, e.g., Merrifield (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2154. Various automatic synthesizers and sequencers are commercially available and can be used in accordance with known protocols. See, e.g., Stewart and Young (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2d. ed., Pierce Chemical Co. Polypeptides are also produced by recombinant expression of a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide followed by purification using standard techniques.

The Expression cassette used to transform the host cell preferably contains DNA sequences to initiate transcription and sequences to control the translation of any encoded antigenic protein or peptide sequence. These sequences are referred to as expression control sequences. When illustrative expression control sequences active in mammalian cells are obtained from the SV-40 promoter (Science, 222:524-527, 1983), the CMV I.E. Promoter (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:659-663, 1984) and the metallothionein promoter (Nature 296:39-42, 1982). Pol III promoters such as tRNA_va1, a house-keeping cellular gene promoter, and the adenovirus VA1, a strong viral promoter are also desirable. The cloning vector containing the expression control sequences is cleaved using restriction enzymes and adjusted in size as necessary or desirable and ligated with nucleic acid coding for the target polypeptides by means well known in the art.

Polyadenlyation or transcription terminator sequences from known mammalian genes are typically incorporated into the vector. Pol III termination sequences are outlined in Geiduschek, E. P., Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57:873-914 (1988). An example of a terminator sequence is the polyadenlyation sequence from the bovine growth hormone gene. Sequences for accurate splicing of the transcript are also be included. An example of a splicing sequence is the VP1 intron from SV40 (Sprague, J. et al., 1983, J. Virol. 45: 773-781).

Additionally, sequences to control replication in the host cell is optionally incorporated into the vector such as those found in bovine papilloma virus type-vectors. Saveria-Campo, M., 1985, "Bovine Papilloma virus DNA a Eukaryotic Cloning Vector" in DNA Cloning Vol. II a Practical Approach Ed. D. M. Glover, IRL Press, Arlington, Va. pp. 213-238.

Where a retroviral packaging vector is used, a packaging site containing the nucleic acids responsible for packaging viral RNA into the retroviral particle is included with the expression cassette. Typically, this includes nucleic acids corresponding to those from a retrovirus located between the LTR of the retrovirus and the gag initiation codon.

MLR Assays

In order to determine the antigen presenting cell activity of antigen presenting cells such as DC, the proliferative effect of these antigen presenting cells on T cells is tested in an MLR assay. MLR assays or "mixed lymphocyte response" assays are the standard in vitro assay of antigen presenting function in cellular immunity. The assay measures the proliferation of T cells after stimulation by a selected cell type. The number of T cells produced are typically characterized by measuring T cell proliferation based on incorporation of ³ H-thymidine in culture. Similar methods are used in vivo in nude or SCID mouse models. See also, Paul (supra) at chapter 31.

Ex Vivo Therapy

Ex vivo therapeutic methods for making transformed dendritic cells and activated T cells are provided. In the methods, dendritic cells are transformed in vitro. These transformed dendritic cells are used to activate T cells in vitro, or the dendritic cells are introduced into a mammal to activate the T cell in vivo. T cells such as CD8⁺ CTLs activated in vitro are introduced into a mammal where they are cytotoxic against target cells bearing antigenic peptides corresponding to those the T cells are activated to recognize on class I MHC molecules. These target cells are typically cancer cells, or infected cells which express unique antigenic peptides on their MHC class I surfaces. It is shown herein that dendritic cells expressing cancer antigens activate T-cells against corresponding cancers.

Similarly, helper T-cells (e.g., CD4⁺ T cells), which recognize antigenic peptides in the context of MHC class II, are also stimulated by the recombinant DCs, which comprise antigenic peptides both in the context of class I and class II MHC. These helper T-cells also stimulate an immune response against a target cell. As with cytotoxic T-cells, helper T-cells are stimulated with the recombinant DCs in vitro or in vivo.

The dendritic cells and T cells are preferably isolated from the mammal into which the activated T cells are to be active ("autologous" therapy). Alternatively, the cells can be those from a donor or stored in a cell bank (e.g., a blood bank).

Thus, a patient infected with a virus such as HIV-1 or suffering from a cancer such as a melanoma can be treated by administering recombinant dendritic cells, or by using recombinant dendritic cells to activate a population of the patient's T cells against the infection or cancer, and introducing the T cells back into the patient as described herein. Thus, the present invention provides a method of producing cytotoxic T cells in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo.

In Vivo Therapy

T cells or dendritic cells can be administered directly to the organism to produce T cells active against a selected cancerous or infected cell type. Administration of these is by any of the routes normally used for introducing a cell into ultimate contact with a mammal's blood or tissue cells.

The cells are administered in any suitable manner, often with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Suitable methods of administering cells in the context of the present invention to a patient are available, and, although more than one route can be used to administer a particular cell composition, a particular route can often provide a more immediate and more effective reaction than another route.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are determined in part by the particular composition being administered, as well as by the particular method used to administer the composition. Accordingly, there is a wide variety of suitable formulations of pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. Most typically, quality controls (microbiology, clonogenic assays, viability tests), are performed and the cells are reinfused back to the patient, preceded by the administration of diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone. See, for example, Korbling, M. et al. (1986) Blood, 67:529-532 and Haas et al. (1990) Exp. Hematol. 18:94-98.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration, such as, for example, by intraarticular (in the joints), intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes, and carriers include aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions, which can contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, and solutes that render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient, and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions that can include suspending agents, solubilizers, thickening agents, stabilizers, and preservatives. Intravenous or intraperitoneal administration are the preferred method of administration for dendritic or T cells of the invention.

The dose of cells (e.g., activated T cells, or dendritic cells) administered to a patient, in the context of the present invention should be sufficient to effect a beneficial therapeutic response in the patient over time, or to inhibit growth of cancer cells, or to inhibit infection. Thus, cells are administered to a patient in an amount sufficient to elicit an effective CTL response to the virus or tumor antigen and/or to alleviate, reduce, cure or at least partially arrest symptoms and/or complications from the disease or infection. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a "therapeutically effective dose." The dose will be determined by the activity of the T cell or dendritic cell produced and the condition of the patient, as well as the body weight or surface area of the patient to be treated. The size of the dose also will be determined by the existence, nature, and extent of any adverse side-effects that accompany the administration of a particular cell in a particular patient. In determining the effective amount of the cell to be administered in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases such as AIDS or cancer (e.g., metastatic melanoma, prostate cancer, etc.), the physician needs to evaluate circulating plasma levels, CTL toxicity, progression of the disease, and the production of immune response against any introduced cell type.

Prior to infusion, blood samples are obtained and saved for analysis. Generally at least about 10⁴ to 10⁶ and typically, between 1x10⁸ and 1x10¹⁰ cells are infused intravenously or intraperitoneally into a 70 kg patient over roughly 60-120 minutes. Intravenous infusion is preferred. Vital signs and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry are closely monitored. Blood samples are obtained 5 minutes and 1 hour following infusion and saved for analysis. Cell reinfusion are repeated roughly every month for a total of 10-12 treatments in a one year period. After the first treatment, infusions can be performed on a outpatient basis at the discretion of the clinician. If the reinfusion is given as an outpatient, the participant is monitored for at least 4 hours following the therapy.

For administration, cells of the present invention can be administered at a rate determined by the LD-50 (or other measure of toxicity) of the cell type, and the side-effects of the cell type at various concentrations, as applied to the mass and overall health of the patient. Administration can be accomplished via single or divided doses. The cells of this invention can supplement other treatments for a condition by known conventional therapy, including cytotoxic agents, nucleotide analogues and biologic response modifiers. Similarly, biological response modifiers are optionally added for treatment by the DCs or activated T cells of the invention. For example, the cells are optionally administered with an adjuvant, or cytoline such as GM-CSF, IL-12 or IL-2.

The studies presented herein demonstrate that tumor antigen genes are expressed by dendritic cells using retroviral transduction, and that these dendritic cells (and T cells activated by the dendritic cells) can be used as anti-tumor therapeutics. Transduced dendritic cells are valuable reagents for active immunization strategies against cancer and infectious diseases, and are useful in vitro to uncover unique tumor epitopes and antigens, and as a tool to study the basic biology of primary dendritic cells. Accordingly, in one specific example of the administration methods shown above, metastatic melanoma patients are immunized with autologous dendritic cells transduced with the MART-1 or GP100 tumor antigen genes to inhibit melanoma metastasis and disease progression, or, alternatively, melanoma patients are immunized with activated T cells (or both activated T-cells and dendritic cells) transduced with the MART-1 or GP100 tumor antigen genes to inhibit melanoma metastasis and disease progression, using the dosing and administration methods set forth above.

In Vitro Assays and Kits

The present invention provides commercially valuable assays and kits to practice the assays. In the assays of the invention, dendritic cells are transformed with a nucleic acid encoding a putative T cell MHC class I associated antigen. The dendritic cell is used to activate the T cell, which is then tested for cytotoxic activity against a class of target cells thought to comprise the putative antigen. Cytotoxicity indicates that the target cells comprise the antigen, and that the antigen is sufficient to mediate a T cell recognition of the target cell. This assay provides investigators with a lead molecule for use in gene therapy or vaccination therapies. Because the transformed dendritic cells can be established in culture, or made in batches, several potential target cell populations can be screened. Thus, libraries of potential tumor antigens can be screened by cloning into dendritic cells. The ability to screen and identify tumor antigens is of considerable commercial value to pharmaceutical and other drug discovery companies.

Kits based on the assay are also provided. The kits typically include a container, and stem cells or dendritic cells. The kits optionally comprise directions for performing the assays, stem cell transformation vectors, cytokines, or instructions in the use of any of these components, or the like.

Claim 1 of 37 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a mammalian dendritic cell transduced with a selected nucleic acid, comprising:

transducing a mammalian hematopoietic stem cell in vitro with the selected nucleic acid; and

differentiating the transduced stem cell with the selected nucleic acid, thereby making a dendritic cell transduced with the selected nucleic acid.

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