Cell populations having immunoregulatory activity, methods for the preparation and uses thereof
A method for the preparation and/or generation of immunomodulatory cells which comprises contacting a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and/or fibroblast cell population with peripheral blood leukocytes for between about 2 hours and about 25 days is described herein.
1. A method for the preparation and/or generation of regulatory T cells which comprises contacting a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population derived from adipose tissue and which does not express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) constitutively, with peripheral blood leukocytes for between 10 days and 18 days in the presence of IL-2.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the regulatory T cells are selected from CD4+ cells and CD25+ cells.
3. A method for the preparation and/or generation of regulatory T cells which comprises contacting a MSC population derived from adipose tissue and which does not express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) constitutively, with peripheral blood leukocytes in the presence of IL-2 and at least one further agent selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-4, and GM-CSF for between 10 days and 18 days.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said further agent is LPS.
5. The method according to claim 3 wherein said further agents are IL-4 and GM-CSF.
6. A method for the preparation and/or generation of regulatory T cells specific for a chosen antigen or group of antigens, which comprises contacting a MSC population derived from adipose tissue and which does not express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) constitutively, with peripheral blood leukocytes and a chosen antigen or group of antigens in the presence of IL-2 and at least one further agent selected from the group consisting of lipopolysacharide (LPS), IL-4, and GM-CSF for between 10 days and 18 days.
7. A method for the preparation and/or generation of regulatory T cells specific for a chosen antigen or group of antigens, which comprises
(a) contacting peripheral blood leukocytes with said chosen antigen or group of antigens in the presence of IL-2 and at least one further agent selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-4, and GM-CSF,
(b) bringing said cell population into contact with a MSC population derived from adipose tissue and which does not express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) constitutively for between 10 days and 18 days.