Dendritic Cells (DCs) are rare specialized antigen presenting cells that function as initiators and regulators of innate and adaptive immune responses. DCs play a crucial role in initiating immunity against invading pathogens and maintaining tolerance against self-antigens. Encounter with pathogens activates DCs resulting in upregulation of antigen presenting and costimulatory molecules along with secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Absence of costimulation and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion results in DCs that induce T cell tolerance. These DCs are known as tolerogenic DCs (Tol Dcs). Tol Dcs induce T cell tolerance, and are therefore highly immunosuppressive. This property of Tol DCs can be utilized as therapy for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, where the immune response is exaggerated, and also for transplantation, where they prevent rejection by dampening the immune response via induction of T regulatory cells. This invention discloses a novel method for the production of tolerogenic Dendritic Cells.

File Number: 22207 

Web site: http://techtransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu/...

Disease: Autoimmune and Inflammation