METHODS, KITS AND APPARATUS FOR EXPANDING A POPULATION OF CELLS

摘要

The present invention relates to in vitro-methods of expanding a population of cells such as lymphocytes, comprising contacting a sample comprising a population of cells with a multimerization reagent. The multimerization reagent has reversibly immobilized thereon (bound thereto) a first agent that provides a primary activation signal to the cells and optionally, a second agent that provides a co-stimulatory signal. The invention also provides multimerization reagents, kits, arrangements and an apparatus for expanding cells.

主权项

1. An in vitro-method of expanding a population of cells, comprising contacting a sample comprising a population of cells with a multimerization reagent,
wherein the multimerization reagent has reversibly immobilized thereon (bound thereto) a first agent that provides a primary activation signal to the cells; wherein the multimerisation reagent comprises at least one binding site Z1 for the reversible binding of the first agent, wherein the first agent comprises at least one binding partner C1, wherein the binding partner C1 is able of reversibly binding to the binding site Z1 of the multimerization reagent, wherein the first agent is bound to the multimerization reagent via the reversible bond formed between the binding partner C1 and the binding site Z1, and wherein the first agent binds to a receptor molecule on the surface of the cells, thereby providing a primary activation signal to the cells and thereby activating the cells.