Stem cell immune modulation methods of use and apparatus

摘要

Methods and apparatus are disclosed co-culturing stem cells with mononuclear cells and/or lymphocytes to modulate their function. The invention also discloses the use of stem cells to educate autoreactive immune cells as a mechanism to treat autoimmune diseases and immune disorder-related diseases, such as diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, bioreactors are disclosed closed for modulating lymphocytes and suppressing autoreactive T cells. The bioreactors can include a chamber having at least one positively charged and/or hydrophobic substrate surface, a population of stem cells attached to the substrate surface, an inlet conduit for introducing lymphocytes into the chamber, and an outlet conduit for extracting treated lymphocytes following co-culturing with the stem cells.

主权项

1. A bioreactor for modulating lymphocytes and suppressing autoreactive T cells, comprising:
a chamber having at least one positively charged and hydrophobic substrate surface; a population of stem cells attached to the substrate surface, wherein the stem cells are characterized by: (a) displaying embryonic stem cell characteristics; (b) displaying hematopoietic cell characteristics as being positive for leukocyte common antigen CD45; (c) not expressing the CD34 marker; (d) displaying low immunogenicity; and (e) expressing autoimmune regulator; an inlet conduit for introducing lymphocytes into the chamber for co-culturing with the stem cells, and the lymphocytes are free from plasma before being introduced into the chamber; and an outlet conduit for extracting the lymphocytes following co-culturing with the stem cells.