Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14 and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides partially mature and activated dendritic cells that produce levels of cytokines/chemokines, for example, one or any combination of and/or all of IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and/or TNF?, that are correlated with improved clinical outcomes, significantly increased survival times and significantly increased times to tumor or cancer recurrence. The determined threshold amounts of these cytokines can be used for (i) a immunotherapeutic potency test for activated dendritic cells, (ii) selecting responder patients, (iii) rejecting non-responder patients, and (iv) to screen for dendritic cell activation or maturation agents that can also induce the production of the threshold amount of the cytokines/chemokines.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14 and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14? and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN?, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides populations of cells comprising partially matured dendritic cells that can be used for administration individuals having a tumor. Partially matured dendritic cells, those contacted with a dendritic cell maturation agent for about 1 to about 10 hours, or more, efficiently take up and process tumor antigens in the area of the tumor site, complete maturation, and can subsequently migrate to the lymph nodes of a treated individual. Once in the lymph node the now fully mature antigen presenting dendritic cells secrete the appropriate cytokines (e.g., TNF? and IL-12) and contact T cells inducing a substantial anti-tumor immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing the maturation of immature dendritic cells (DC) and for activating those cells without the use of a dendritic cell maturation agent. The activated DC can be used for inducing an antigen specific T cell response. Methods of the invention can also comprise the addition of a directional maturation agent, such as interferon gamma, to induce a Th-1 and/or Th-2 bias in the response obtained. The present invention also provides dendritic cell populations useful for activating and for inducing antigen specific T cells. Similarly, activated antigen specific T cell populations, and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of bone marrow or blood constituents for stem cells by removal of non-stem cell constituents comprising separation of the non-stem cell constituents using a tangential flow filtration device.

Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogeneous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes. One embodiment includes a remover unit (1) having a crossflow chamber (3) separated by a microporous filter (5) from a filtrate chamber (4), the remover unit (1) also having a tangential flow inlet (6), a fluid outlet (7) for a fluid enriched in leukocytes and a filtrate outlet (8).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing the maturation of immature dendritic cells (DC) and for activating those cells without the use of a dendritic cell maturation agent. The activated DC can be used for inducing an antigen specific T cell response. Methods of the invention can also comprise the addition of a directional maturation agent, such as interferon gamma, to induce a Th-I and/or Th-2 bias in the response obtained. The present invention also provides dendritic cell populations useful for activating and for inducing antigen specific T cells. Similarly, activated antigen specific T cell populations, and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing maturation of immature dendritic cells (DC) and for priming those cells for inducing a type 1 immune response. The present invention also provides dendritic cell populations useful for activating and for preparing T cells polarized towards production of type 1 cytokines and/or a type 1 response. Similarly, activated, polarized T cell populations, and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention it was determined that dendritic cells could be derived from various sources including peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of only GM-CSF without other cytokines if the monocytes were not activated. By preventing activation, such as by preventing binding of the cells to the surface of the culture vessel, the monocytes do not require the presence of additional cytokines, such as IL-4 or IL-13, to prevent differentiation into a non-dendritic cell lineage. The immature DCs generated and maintained in this manner were CD14− and expressed high levels of CD1a. Upon maturation by contact with an agent such as, for example, BCG and IFN&ggr;, the cells were determined to express surface molecules typical of mature dendritic cells purified by prior methods and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4.

Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides encoding Glycoprotein B from the RFHV/KSHV subfamily of gamma herpes viruses, three members of which are characterized in detail. DNA extracts were obtained from Macaque nemestrina and Macaque mulatta monkeys affected with retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF), and human AIDS patients affected with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The extracts were amplified using consensus-degenerate oligonucleotide probes designed from known protein and DNA sequences of gamma herpes viruses. The nucleotide sequences of a 319 base pair fragment are about 76% identical between RFHV1 and KSHV, and about 60-63% identical with the closest related gamma herpes viruses outside the RFHV/KSHV subfamily. Protein sequences encoded within these fragments are are about 91% identical between RFHV1 and KSHV, and <.about.65% identical to that of other gamma herpes viruses.

Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides encoding Glycoprotein B from the RFHV/KSHV subfamily of gamma herpes viruses, three members of which are characterized in detail. DNA extracts were obtained from Macaque nemestrina and Macaque mulatta monkeys affected with retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF), and human AIDS patients affected with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The extracts were amplified using consensus-degenerate oligonucleotide probes designed from known protein and DNA sequences of gamma herpes viruses. The nucleotide sequences of a 319 base pair fragment are about 76% identical between RFHV1 and KSHV, and about 60-63% identical with the closest related gamma herpes viruses outside the RFHV/KSHV subfamily. Protein sequences encoded within these fragments are are about 91% identical between RFHV1 and KSHV, and <.about.65% identical to that of other gamma herpes viruses.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding DNA polymerases of three members of a subfamily of gamma herpes viruses. Two were obtained from macaque monkeys affected with retroperitoneal fibromatosis, the other from human AIDS patients affected with Kaposi's sarcoma. A 454-base pair fragment encoding a region near the active site of the DNA polymerase is 69-83% identical amongst the three viruses, but only 54-68% identical with other known gamma herpes sequences and <55% identical with alpha and beta herpes sequences. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding DNA polymerase from related viruses in the RFHV/KSHV subfamily. Polynucleotides prepared according to the sequence data can be used as reagents to detect and characterize related sequences. Such reagents may be used to detect members of the RFHV/KSHV subfamily, including but not limited to RFHV, RFHV2, and KSHV. Corresponding polypeptides and peptide fragments may be obtained by expressing the polynucleotide or by chemical synthesis.