Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for treating and/or preventing type I diabetes and an application thereof. The active ingredient of the composition is 1.) or 2.) or 3.), as follows: 1.) a mixture of a type I diabetes protein antigen and an immunosuppressor, 2.) a mixture of a type I diabetes protein antigenic epitope polypeptide and an immunosuppressor, 3.) a mixture of a type I diabetes protein antigen, a type I diabetes protein antigenic epitope polypeptide, and an immunosuppressor; the type I diabetes protein antigen is at least one of insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and islet amyloid polypeptide, and the immunosuppressor is at least one of dexamethasone, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, prednisone, early prednisolone, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody, and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The thymus-derived CD4+CD25+ T cells belong to a subset of regulatory T cells potentially capable of suppressing the proliferation of pathogenic effector T cells. Intriguingly, these suppressor cells are themselves anergic, proliferating poorly to mitogenic stimulation in culture. The inventors have found that the 4-1BB co-stimulator receptor, best known for promoting the proliferation and survival of CD8+ T cells, also induces the proliferation of the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells both in culture and in vivo. The proliferating CD4+CD25+ T cells produce no detectable IL-2, suggesting that 4-1BB costimulation of these cells does not involve IL-2 production. The 4-1BB-expanded CD4+CD25+ T cells are functional, as they remain suppressive to other T cells in co-culture. These results support the notion that the peripheral expansion of the CD4+CD25+ T cells is controlled in part by co-stimulation.

Abstract: Methods for transferring one or more proteins to a cell are disclosed. The protein or proteins to be transferred are in the form of a fusion protein, and contain at least one domain encoding for a protein or peptide having trans signaling and/or adhesion function. The fusion protein is transferred to a cell by binding to a lipidated protein, which has been incorporated into the cell membrane. In an additional aspect of the invention, methods of making fusion proteins having cis signaling capabilities, as well as the ability to bind with receptors on the cell's own surface, are provided. Fusion proteins incorporating GPI or a homing element, and a costimulator or inhibitor domain can also be directly transferred to the cell surface. Methods for using cells which have undergone protein transfer according to the present methods are also disclosed. This includes use in a cancer vaccine, use for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease, and use in determining costimulator threshold levels.

Abstract: The thymus-derived CD4+CD25+T cells belong to a subset of regulatory T cells potentially capable of suppressing the proliferation of pathogenic effector T cells. Intriguingly, these suppressor cells are themselves anergic, proliferating poorly to mitogenic stimulation in culture. The inventors have found that the 4-1BB co-stimulator receptor, best known for promoting the proliferation and survival of CD8+ T cells, also induces the proliferation of the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells both in culture and in vivo. The proliferating CD4+CD25+ T cells produce no detectable IL-2, suggesting that 4-1BB costimulation of these cells does not involve IL-2 production. The 4-1BB-expanded CD4+CD25+ T cells are functional, as they remain suppressive to other T cells in co-culture. These results support the notion that the peripheral expansion of the CD4+CD25+ T cells is controlled in part by co-stimulation.

Abstract: Methods for transferring one or more proteins to a cell are disclosed. The protein or proteins to be transferred are in the form of a fusion protein, and contain at least one domain encoding for a protein or peptide having trans signaling and/or adhesion function. The fusion protein is transferred to a cell by binding to a lipidated protein, which has been incorporated into the cell membrane. Methods for using cells which have undergone protein transfer according to the present methods are also disclosed. This includes use in a cancer vaccine, use for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease, and use in determining costimulator threshold levels.

Abstract: Methods for transferring one or more proteins to a cell are disclosed. The protein or proteins to be transferred are in the form of a fusion protein, and contain at least one domain encoding for a protein or peptide having trans signaling and/or adhesion function. The fusion protein is transferred to a cell by binding to a lipidated protein, which has been incorporated into the cell membrane. In an additional aspect of the invention, methods of making fusion proteins having cis signaling capabilities, as well as the ability to bind with receptors on the cell's own surface, are provided. Fusion proteins incorporating GPI or a homing element, and a costimulator or inhibitor domain can also be directly transferred to the cell surface. Methods for using cells which have undergone protein transfer according to the present methods are also disclosed. This includes use in a cancer vaccine, use for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease, and use in determining costimulator threshold levels.

Abstract: Methods for transferring one or more proteins to a cell are disclosed. The protein or proteins to be transferred are in the form of a fusion protein, and contain at least one domain encoding for a protein or peptide having trans signaling and/or adhesion function. The fusion protein is transferred to a cell by binding to a lipidated protein, which has been incorporated into the cell membrane. Methods for using cells which have undergone protein transfer according to the present methods are also disclosed. This includes use in a cancer vaccine, use for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease, and use in determining costimulator threshold levels.

Abstract: Methods for transferring one or more proteins to a cell are disclosed. The protein or proteins to be transferred are in the form of a fusion protein, and contain at least one domain encoding for a protein or peptide having trans signaling and/or adhesion function. The fusion protein is transferred to a cell by binding to a lipidated protein, which has been incorporated into the cell membrane. Methods for using cells which have undergone protein transfer according to the present methods are also disclosed. This includes use in a cancer vaccine, use for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease, and use in determining costimulator threshold levels.