Abstract: The present invention relates to a T lymphocyte having an activity to induce a T lymphocyte recognizing an antigen and a technique to use the T lymphocyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a T lymphocyte having an activity to induce a T lymphocyte recognizing an antigen and a technique to use the T lymphocyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the function of a T cell, which is characterized by inhibiting the expression of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and/or programmed death-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) in the T cell. Also disclosed is a function-enhanced T cell which is produced by the function enhancement method. Further disclosed is a therapeutic agent comprising the function-enhanced T cell. The T cell can enhance an immune response to cancer, and is useful in an immunotherapy effective for cancer and the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a cell capable of expressing an exogenous GITRL or an exogenous GITRL derivative; a method for producing the cell; a therapeutic or prophylactic agent comprising the cell as an active ingredient; use of the cell in the manufacture of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent; a method comprising a step of administering the cell to a subject; a viral vector carrying a gene encoding a GITRL or a GITRL derivative; a therapeutic or prophylactic agent comprising the viral vector as an active ingredient; use of the viral vector in the manufacture of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent; and a method comprising a step of administering the viral vector to a subject.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell which can express a non-natural oligomeric protein, which has, introduced therein, a gene encoding an exogenous polypeptide corresponding to at least one endogenous polypeptide constituting a natural oligomeric protein, and in which the expression of the endogenous polypeptide is inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of cancer, which comprises the following steps (A) and (B): (A) applying a treatment which induces the reduction in lymphocytes to a patient; and (B), subsequent to step (A), administering lymphocytes to the patient promptly. The present invention also relates to a cancer therapeutic agent and a cancer treatment kit for use in the method. When the method is used as an immunoreconstructive therapy, the decrease in immunologic competence which may be caused by the reduction in lymphocytes can be avoided and, therefore, the risk of the occurrence of an infectious disease can be decreased.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA vaccine for developing tumor-specific immunity. Specifically, the invention relates to a DNA vaccine comprising antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, respectively. Preferably, the antigen recognized by CD4+ helper T cells is a molecule identified by the SEREX method and that recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells is a tumor-specific antigen, tumor-associated antigen or cell-associated antigen. Furthermore, so that the antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ CTL are expressed and presented on the same cell, the expression vectors preferably are immobilized on the same gold particle and administered into the cell by gene gun; however, this invention is not restricted thereto. The vaccine can also be used as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to stimulation of immune responses against antigen(s) and overcoming regulatory T cell suppression of such immune responses against antigen(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a T lymphocyte having an activity to induce a T lymphocyte recognizing an antigen and a technique to use the T lymphocyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA vaccine for developing tumor-specific immunity. Specifically, the invention relates to a DNA vaccine comprising antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, respectively. Preferably, the antigen recognized by CD4+ helper T cells is a molecule identified by the SEREX method and that recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells is a tumor-specific antigen, tumor-associated antigen or cell-associated antigen. Furthermore, so that the antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ CTL are expressed and presented on the same cell, the expression vectors preferably are immobilized on the same gold particle and administered into the cell by gene gun; however, this invention is not restricted thereto. The vaccine can also be used as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: A preparation combining a complex of a cancer antigen and a hydrophobized polysaccharide with an agent, e.g., an extract from hemolytic streptococcus, which binds to a Toll-like receptor to stimulate the antigen presenting cells activates all of the antigen presenting cells, the killer T cells and the helper T cells which are major immune cells when antigen specific immunity against cancer cells is induced and activated, and exerts a potent vaccinal effect. A vaccine preparation of the present invention induces immune responses to the cancer antigen, in particular, has effects of activation and induction of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells, and thus, can be used as a therapeutic or preventive vaccine for cancer therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing Langerhans cells from CD14-positive cells, which are human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This method comprises culturing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of Notch ligand, GM-CSF, and TGF-?.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method of regulating the activity of regulatory T cells. The present invention relates to a composition containing an antigen recognized by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells or an expression vector encoding such an antigen and a method of controlling an immune response from a mammal by administrating the composition to the mammal. Furthermore, the present invention provides effective means for suppressing a rejection reaction and a graft-versus-host reaction in transplantation and for prevention and treatment of an autoimmune disease or an allergic disease. Furthermore, an immunosuppression condition can be removed by the administration of Interferon-? or a combination of Interleukin 12 and Interleukin 18.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a T lymphocyte having an activity to induce a T lymphocyte recognizing an antigen and a technique to use the T lymphocyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing, treating or mitigating symptoms of respiratory hypersensitivity or renal dysfunction, comprising administering a pharmacologically effective amount of a composition comprising an antigen recognized by a CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell to a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA vaccine for developing tumor-specific immunity. Specifically, the invention relates to a DNA vaccine comprising antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, respectively. Preferably, the antigen recognized by CD4+ helper T cells is a molecule identified by the SEREX method and that recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells is a tumor-specific antigen, tumor-associated antigen or cell-associated antigen. Furthermore, so that the antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ CTL are expressed and presented on the same cell, the expression vectors preferably are immobilized on the same gold particle and administered into the cell by gene gun; however, this invention is not restricted thereto. The vaccine can also be used as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Vaccinal preparations comprising an antigen such as tumor-associated antigens and viral antigens, together with a hydrophobized polysaccharide as adjuvant, e.g., hydrophobized polysaccharides containing a saccharide unit whose primary hydroxyl group is represented by the following formula: —O—(CH2)mCONH(CH2)nNH—CO—O—R wherein R represents an alkyl group or a sterol residue; m represents 0 or 1; and n represents an arbitrary positive integer, at a ratio of one to five units per 100 saccharide units that constitute the polysaccharide, preferably comprising an antigen encapsulated in microparticles of aggregated hydrophobized polysaccharide.