Abstract: A method for generating a population of functional regulatory T cells (TREG-cells), which are a subset of the T cell lineage having the ability to actively suppress immune activation and maintain peripheral immune tolerance, is described. The method comprises the steps of first culturing haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells in the presence of a Notch ligand that supports T cell differentiation, and then isolating T cells having a TREG-cell surface marker phenotype. A suitable source of HSC is cord blood (CB) and a suitable culture medium is OP9 cells engineered to express the Notch Ligand Delta-Like 1 (DL1) (OP9-DL1 cell line). Examples of TREG-cell surface marker phenotypes are CD4+CD25+, CD45RO+, CD45RA+, CD127LOW?, LAG-3 and/or CD39+.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel protein molecules and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof capable of modulating cellular activity and, in particular, modulating cellular activity via the modulation of signal transduction. More particularly, the present invention relates to human sphingosine kinase and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said protein molecules and derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel protein molecules and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof capable of modulating cellular activity and, in particular, modulating cellular activity via the modulation of signal transduction. More particularly, the present invention relates to human sphingosine kinase and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said protein molecules and derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel protein molecules and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof capable of modulating cellular activity and, in particular, modulating cellular activity via the modulation of signal transduction. More particularly, the present invention relates to human sphingosine kinase and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said protein molecules and derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic application.