Methods and materials for generating T cells
The document provides to methods and materials for generating T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4 + T cells). For example, methods and materials for using nested MHC class II epitopes as vaccines to generate activated CD4 + T cells in vivo or as reagents to generate activated CD4 + T cells ex vivo are provided.
1. A method for activating T cells in a mammal, said method comprising administering a composition comprising a polypeptide to said mammal, wherein said polypeptide comprises an invariant chain amino acid sequence, an MHC class II epitope amino acid sequence, and a DC3 amino acid sequence, wherein said polypeptide is between 20 and 80 amino acids in length, wherein said invariant chain amino acid sequence comprises LRMK (SEQ ID NO:44), wherein said DC3 amino acid sequence comprises FYPSYHSTPQRP (SEQ ID NO:2), and wherein said MHC class II epitope amino acid sequence comprises KDISYLYRFNWNHCG (SEQ ID NO:1).