NZ622749B2

NZ622749B2 - Anti third party central memory t cells, methods of producing same and use of same in transplantation and disease treatment

Info

Publication number: NZ622749B2
Application number: NZ622749A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Ran Afik; Esther Bacharlustig; Yaki Eidelstein; Assaf Lask; Eran Ophir; Noga Orgeva; Yair Reisner; Lustig Esther Bachar; Geva Noga Or
Original assignee: Yeda Research And Development Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-08
Filing date: 2012-09-06
Publication date: 2016-02-02

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising non-graft versus host (GVHD) anti-third party cells having a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, said cells being tolerance-inducing cells and/or endowed with anti-disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) contacting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL-21 so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; and (b) culturing said cells resulting from step (a) in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in an antigen free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby generating the isolated population of cells. ymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) contacting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL-21 so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; and (b) culturing said cells resulting from step (a) in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in an antigen free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby generating the isolated population of cells.

Description

ANTI THIRD PARTY CENTRAL MEMORY T CELLS, S OF PRODUCING SAME AND USE OF SAME IN TRANSPLANTATION AND DISEASE ENT FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some ments thereof, relates to tolerance inducing and/or graft versus leukemia reactive anti—third party cells comprising l memory T—lymphocyte phenotype and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of generating same and to the use of same in transplantation and in disease treatment.

Bone marrow (BM) transplantation offers a curative treatment for many patients with hematological ancies and other hematological disorders. However, the BM graft contains donor T cells which respond to the host antigens (Ags) and cause multi— system graft—versus—host disease (GVHD). In the early 80’s bone marrow transplant (BMT), without the deleterious effect of GVHD, was demonstrated in the haploidentical (three HLA loci mismatched) settings, in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) ts. The problem of GVHD, which is almost uniformly lethal in such settings, was completely prevented by T cell depletion.

However, in leukemia ts, the clinical outcome of T cell depleted BM was disappointing, as the benefit of GVHD prevention was offset by a markedly increased rate of graft rejection. The rejection was shown to be mediated by radiochemotherapy resistant host derived T cells [Reisner et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (1986) 83:4012— 4015]. One way to overcome this problem is to perform BMT following supra—lethal conditioning and functional inactivation of host T cells using immunosuppressive drugs.

Nevertheless, this strategy is hampered by opportunistic infections due to slow immune reconstitution and considerable toxicities of the immunosuppressants.

While in high risk leukemia patients such transplant—related mortality can be acceptable, it would be intolerable if applied to patients with a long life expectancy.

Therefore, the use of d intensity conditioning, with less severe immune ablation, to enable tment of T—depleted BM (TDBM) graft, which is ated with reduced risk for GVHD, is warranted. The establishment of donor type chimerism under such reduced conditioning represents a most desirable goal in transplantation biology, as it is lly associated with durable tolerance s cells or tissues from the original donor. Yet, the marked levels of host immune cells surviving the mild preparatory regimens, represents a difficult r for the tment of donor cells.

One approach to overcome rejection of allogeneic TDBM made use of large cell doses. It was first demonstrated in rodent models that a “megadose” of TDBM transplant can overcome T cell mediated graft rejection [Lapidot et al., Blood (1989) 73:2025—2032; Bachar—Lustig et al., Nat Med. (1995) 1:1268—1273; Uharek et al., Blood (1992) 79:1612—1621]. However, a significant increase in the BM inoculum has been difficult to achieve in . To me this m granulocytes colony stimulating factor (G—CSF), which facilitates mobilization of poietic stem cells (HSCs, CD34+ cells in humans) from the BM, has been used to increase the yield of HSCs collected from the blood and T cell depleted HSCs were mented to the conventional TDBM [Aversa et al., N Engl J Med. (1998) 339:1186—1193; Aversa et al., J Clin Oncol. (2005) 23:3447—3454; Reisner and Martelli, Immunol Today (1999) :343—347; Handgretinger et al., Bone Marrow Transplant. (2001) 27:777—783].

The CD34 “megadose” transplants raised interesting questions as to how these cells overcome the barrier presented by host cytotoxic T—lymphocyte precursors (CTL— p). This question was answered, in part, by the finding that cells within the CD34 fraction are endowed with potent veto activity [Our et al., Blood (2005) 105 :2585—2593; Our et al., Blood (2002) 4—4181; Rachamim et al., Transplantation (1998) 65:1386—1393]. Other cell types have also been shown to mediate veto activity including T lymphocytes (e.g. CD8+ CTLs), natural killer cells and dendritic cells.

Direct comparison of the veto reactivity of various cell types revealed that CTLs comprise the strongest veto effect [Reich—Zeliger et al., J Immunol. (2004) 173:6654— 6659].

One approach developed to generate veto CTLs without GVH reactivity was described by Reisner and co—workers, in which CTLs were stimulated t 3rd—party stimulators in the absence of exogenous IL—2. This approach was based on the observation that only activated CTLp were capable of surviving the IL—2 deprivation in the primary e. This method was shown in vitro and in vivo to deplete GVH reactivity from the anti—3rd party veto CTLs [PCT Publication No. , Bachar—Lustig et al., Blood. 2003;102:1943—1950; Aviner et al., Hum Immunol. (2005) 66:644—652]. uction of these anti—3rd party veto CTLs into a recipient (along with a lant) prevented graft rejection without inducing GVHD (PCT Publication No.

Various approaches have been contemplated for graft transplantation without graft rejection and/or graft versus host disease, some are summarized infra.

PCT Publication No. discloses the use of genic cells for reducing or preventing graft rejection of a non—syngeneic graft in a subject. The tolerogenic cells disclosed (e. g. 25+ cells) may be derived from any donor who is non— eic with both the subject and the graft ("third— party" tolerogenic cells).

The graft (e. g. bone marrow) may be derived from any graft donor who is allogeneic or xenogeneic with the subject.

PCT Publication No. discloses the use of cultured hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) sing enhanced veto activity for inducing tolerance to a transplant transplanted from a donor to a recipient. The tolerogenic cells disclosed preferably s CD33 and are administered prior to, itantly with or following lantation of the transplant (e. g. cell or organ transplant).

PCT Publication No. discloses the use of a non—GVHD inducing population of immune effector cells for disease treatment. In order to arrive at the non—GVHD inducing population of immune effector cells, a first cell population (e. g. hocytes) are co—cultured with a second cell population being non—syngeneic with the subject and non—syngeneic with the first cell population (e.g. EBV—infected B— lymphocytes) under ions which include IL—2 starvation followed by IL—2 supplementation. The resultant immune effector cells may be used to treat diseases such as malignant diseases, viral diseases and autoimmune diseases.

US. Pat. No. 6,759,035 discloses methods of inhibiting graft rejection and inducing T cell tolerance in a solid organ transplant recipient. The methods disclosed comprise removing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a donor and recipient, ing the donor and recipient cells together in the presence of a compound that induces T cell suppressor activity (e. g. TGF—B, IL—15 and IL—2), and administering the recipient suppressor T cells to the recipient along with the transplant to prevent the recipient's T cells from killing donor cells, thereby inducing tolerance and long term survival of the transplant.

US. Pat. No. 036 discloses methods for ng donor cells to ameliorate graft versus host disease in a recipient patient. The methods disclosed comprise removing PBMCs from a donor and treating the cells with a suppressive composition (e. g. IL—lO, IL—2, IL—4, IL—lS and TGF—B) for a time sufficient to induce T cell tolerance.

The cells are then introduced to a recipient patient. The d cells may be added to donor stem cells prior to introduction into the patient.

PCT Publication No. disclosed an isolated population of cells comprising non—GVHD ng anti—third party cells having a central memory T— lymphocyte (Tcm) ype, the cells being tolerance—inducing cells and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation.

Y OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of some ments of the present invention there is provided a method of generating an isolated population of cells sing anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being tolerance—inducing cells and/or endowed with anti—disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) contacting peripheral blood clear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—21 so as to allow enrichment of n reactive cells; and (b) culturing the cells resulting from step (a) in the presence of IL—Zl, IL—lS and IL— 7 in an antigen free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby generating the isolated population of cells.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being tolerance—inducing cells and/or endowed with graft—versus—leukemia (GVL) activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating herent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting the CD8+ T cells with third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; (c) ing the cells ing from step (b) with the third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL— 21, IL—15 and IL—7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing the cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 in an antigen free environment for 5—20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, y generating the isolated population of cells.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being endowed with anti—disease ty, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating non—adherent peripheral blood clear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting the CD8+ T cells with non— eic dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; (c) culturing the cells resulting from step (b) with the non—syngeneic dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing the cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL—21, IL— and IL—7 in an antigen free environment for 5—20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory hocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby generating the isolated population of cells.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an isolated population of cells sing anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, wherein at least 50 % of the isolated population of cells are CD3+CD8+ cells of which at least 50 % comprise a CD3+, CD8+, CD62L+, CD45RA', CD45RO+ ure, and r wherein the cells are tolerance—inducing cells and/or endowed with anti—disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an ed population of cells comprising anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) ype, the cells being tolerance—inducing cells and/or endowed with anti-disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, generated according to the present methods.

According to the present invention the isolated population of cells is non-graft versus host (GVHD) inducing. ing to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of a malignant disease, a viral disease and an autoimmune disease, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated population of cells of the present invention, thereby treating the t.

According to another aspect of some embodiments of the t invention there is provided the use of a therapeutically ive amount of the isolated population of cells as described herein for the manufacture of a ment for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein the e is selected from the group consisting of a malignant disease, a viral disease and an autoimmune disease According to an aspect of some ments of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a subject in need of a cell or tissue transplantation, the method comprising: (a) transplanting a cell or tissue lant into the subject; and (b) administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated population of cells of the present invention, thereby treating the subject.

According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present ion there is provided the use of a cell or tissue transplant and a therapeutically ive amount of the isolated population of cells as described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a t in need of a cell or tissue transplantation According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a subject in need of an immature hematopoietic cell transplantation, the method comprising: (a) transplanting immature hematopoietic cells into the subject; and (b) stering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated tion of cells of the present invention, thereby treating the subject.

According to another aspect of some embodiments of the t invention there is provided the use of immature hematopoietic cells and a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated population of cells of claim 35 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject in need of an immature hematopoietic cell transplantation. followed by 6A According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises ing non-adherent cells from the PBMC prior to step (a).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells from the PBMC prior to step (a).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises selecting + and/or CD45RO- cells from the PBMC prior to step (a).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the PBMC comprise CD8+ T cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises culturing the cells ing from step (a) with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 following step (a) and prior to step (b).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the third party antigen or antigens comprise dendritic cells. followed by 7 2012/050354 According to some embodiments of the invention, the dendritic cells are irradiated tic cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the third party antigen or antigens is ed from the group consisting of third party cells, a cell antigen, a viral antigen, a ial antigen, a protein extract, a purified protein and a synthetic peptide presented by autologous presenting cells, non—autologous presenting cells or on an artificial vehicle or on artificial antigen presenting cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the third party cells are atory cells selected from the group ting of cells purified from peripheral blood lymphocytes, spleen or lymph nodes, cytokine—mobilized PBLs, in vitro expanded n—presenting cells (APC), in vitro expanded dendritic cells and cial antigen presenting cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises selecting CD45RA+ and/or CD45RO— cells from the PBMC following step (a) and prior to step (b).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the CD8+ T cells comprise naive CD8+ T cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the dendritic cells comprise in vitro expanded dendritic cells.

According to some embodiments of the ion, the dendritic cells comprise irradiated dendritic cells. ing to some embodiments of the invention, the contacting in the presence of IL—Zl is effected for 12 hours to 5 days.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the contacting in the presence of IL—Zl is effected for 2—3 days.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the contacting in the presence of IL—Zl is effected for 3 days.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises ing for activated cells following step (a) and prior to step (b).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises selecting for activated cells following step (b) and prior to step (c).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the selecting for activated cells is effected by selection of CDl37+ and/or CD25+ cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the selecting for activated cells is effected 12—72 hours after the contacting.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the culturing with the third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—Zl, IL—15 and IL—7 is effected for 12 hours to 3 days. ing to some embodiments of the ion, the presence of IL—Zl, IL—15 and IL—7 in the antigen free environment is effected for 5—20 days.

According to some ments of the invention, the ing in the presence of IL—Zl, IL— 15 and IL—7 in the antigen free nment is effected for 7—11 days.

According to some ments of the invention, the method further comprises depleting alloreactive cells following step (b).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method r comprises depleting alloreactive cells following step (d).

According to some ments of the invention, the depleting the alloreactive cells is effected by depletion of CDl37+ and/or CD25+ cells ing contacting the cells comprising the central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) with host antigen presenting cells (APCs).

According to some ments of the invention, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are syngeneic with respect to a subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are non—syngeneic with respect to a t.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the non—syngeneic PBMC are xenogeneic or allogeneic with respect to a subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anti—third party cells having a T central memory phenotype comprises a CD3+, CD8+, CD62L+, CD45RA', CD45RO+ signature.

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least 50 % of the isolated population of cells are CD3+CD8+ cells of which at least 50 % have the signature.

According to some embodiments of the ion, the malignant disease comprises a leukemia or a lymphoma.

According to some ments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are ngeneic with the subject. ing to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises conditioning the subject under sublethal, lethal or supralethal conditions prior to the transplanting.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue transplant is derived from a donor selected from the group consisting of an HLA identical allogeneic donor, an HLA non—identical allogeneic donor and a xenogeneic donor.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue lant comprises immature hematopoietic cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue transplant is selected from the group consisting of a liver, a pancreas, a spleen, a kidney, a heart, a lung, a skin, an intestine and a lymphoid/hematopoietic tissue or organ.

According to some embodiments of the ion, the cell or tissue transplant comprises a co—transplantation of several .

According to some embodiments of the invention, the co—transplantation comprises transplantation of immature poietic cells and a solid organ.

According to some ments of the invention, the immature poietic cells and the solid organ or obtained from the same donor.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the immature hematopoietic cells are transplanted prior to, concomitantly with, or ing the transplantation of the solid organ According to some embodiments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are administered prior to, concomitantly with, or following the cell or tissue transplant.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

According to some ments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are non—syngeneic with the subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue transplant and the isolated tion of cells are derived from the same donor.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the subject and the isolated population of cells are non—syngeneic with the t. ing to some embodiments of the invention, the cell or tissue lant is syngeneic with the subject and the isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the isolated population of cells are administered prior to, concomitantly with, or following the immature hematopoietic cells.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the immature hematopoietic cells and the isolated population of cells are derived from the same donor.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the donor is non—syngeneic with the subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the re hematopoietic cells and the isolated population of cells are derived from the t.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method r comprises conditioning the subject under hal, lethal or supralethal conditions prior to the transplanting.

According to some ments of the invention, the subject is a human subject.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although s and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conﬂict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings: FIGs. lA—B are schematic diagrams depicting human gous (Figure 1A) and allogeneic (Figure 1B) settings. Of note, the two settings differ from each other in the origin of the bone marrow (BM) donor (host vs. allogeneic), the responders (host vs. allogeneic) and stimulators (any allogeneic donor vs. 3rd party not cross—reactive with host MHC) that are ed in the Tcm generation.

FIGs. 2A—B are tic diagrams depicting mouse syngeneic (Figure 2A) and allogeneic (Figure 2B) settings. Of note, the two settings differ from each other in the origin of the BM donor (syngeneic or Fl vs. neic), the responders neic or Fl vs. allogeneic) and stimulators (allogeneic vs. 3rd party) that are involved in the Tcm generation.

FIGs. 3A—B are tic diagrams depicting the autologous human protocol for generation of Tcm (Figure 3A) in comparison to the syngeneic mouse ol (Figure 3B).

FIGs. 4A—C depict the kinetics of anti—3rd party central memory generation (“reference control experiments”). Naive CD8 T cells were ated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium containing IL—2l for 3 days.

Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded in medium containing IL—7 and IL—15 until day 12.5. On days 7.5, 10.5 and 12.5, cells were ted for phenotype (surface marker expression) (Figure 4A), and percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells using FACS analysis (Figure 4B), and for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion (Figure 4C). For each time point data represent average i SE of n independent experiments.

FIGS. SA—C depict a typical experiment demonstrating the role of priming with allogeneic DC. Of note, IL—21 alone or IL—7 plus IL—lS without DC priming does not induce central memory phenotype in naive CD8 T cells and poorly supports their expansion. Figure 5A illustrates naive CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium ning IL—21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“reference control group”: d(0—3) IL21+DC d(3— l3)IL7+IL15); Figures SB—C illustrate naive CD8 T cells which were cultured with IL— 21 (Figure 5B) or with a combination of IL—7 and IL—15 (Figure SC) in the absence of stimulation until day 10 or day 13, respectively.

FIGs. 6A—B depict the role of priming with allogeneic DC demonstrated by the average ve impact on Tcm level and fold expansion compared to the reference l group. Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium containing IL—21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“Reference control group”: d(0—3) C d(3—l3)IL7+IL15). Alternatively, naive CD8 T cells were ed with IL—21 or with ation of IL—7 and IL—15 in the absence of ation until day 13. Cells were evaluated for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion (Figure 6A), and percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells using FACS analysis (Figure 6B). For each time point, data represent the average i SE of n independent experiments.

FIGs. 7A—C depict a typical experiment trating the role of IL—21 in the priming and expansion phases of anti—3rd party Tcm. Of note, removal of IL—21 from the priming phase reduced both expansion and Tcm induction, while the presence of IL— 21 throughout the culture increased Tcm induction. Figure 7A illustrates naive CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium containing IL—21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“reference control group”: d(0— 3) C d(3—l3)IL7+IL15); Figures 7B—C illustrate naive CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the absence of IL— 21 for 3 days. fter the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (Figure 7B), or stimulated with ated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 with continuous presence of IL—21 in both the g phase (IL—21 alone) and in the expansion phase (together with IL—7 and IL—15) (Figure 7C).

FIGs. 8A—B depict the requirement for IL—21 for optimal Tcm yield (average of several independent experiments). Naive CD8 T cells were treated as above and cultures were evaluated for cell number by trypan blue exclusion (Figure 8A), and percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells using FACS analysis (Figure 8B). Results of each experiment are shown separately and lines indicate e results over n experiments.

FIGs. 9A—B depict the optimal responder/DC ratio for the induction of Tcm phenotype and robust expansion. 4 x 105 naive CD8 T cells were stimulated against irradiated neic 3rd party DC at sing numbers in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days. Thereafter the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“reference control group”: d(0—3) IL21+100,00 DC d(3—l3) IL7+IL15). Cultures were evaluated for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion (Figure 9A), and tage of Tcm +CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells using FACS analysis e 9B). Results of each experiment are shown separately and Lines indicate average results over n experiments. depicts an evaluation of the effect of different GMP grade reagents on the enrichment of CD8+ and naive CD8+CD45RA+ T cells. Donor PBMC were depleted from adherent cells by overnight incubation in plates specifically designed to remove adherent myeloid cells (upper panel), and on day 0, non adherent cells were divided to four test groups, each subjected to a different ic sorting protocols.

Cells were evaluated for cell composition and Tcm phenotype by FACS analysis. The results in the left column (CD45RO and CD45RA) are gated on CD3+CD8+ cells. The results ent a typical experiment out of two independent experiments performed. depicts a typical experiment showing the effect of different GMP grade reagents used for isolation of CD8 T cells, on the proportion of CD8+ T cells with a Tcm phenotype, and contamination with NK and NKT cells, 7 days after stimulation with 3rd party DCs. Unstimulated cells maintained in culture with IL—7 alone (upper panel) were used as a nce. The results in the left most column (CD45RO and CD45RA) and right most column (CD62L and CD45RO) are gated on CD3+CD8+ cells. depicts a typical experiment showing the effect of different GMP grade reagents used for isolation of CD8 T cells, on the proportion of CD8+ T cells with a Tcm phenotype, and ination with NK and NKT cells, 14 days after stimulation with 3rd party DCs. Unstimulated cells maintained in culture with IL—7 alone (upper panel) were used as a reference. The results in the left most column (CD45RO and CD45RA) and right most column (CD62L and CD45RO) are gated on CD3+CD8+ cells.

FIGs. l3A—B depict the effect of different GMP grade reagents used for isolation of CD8 T cells on the levels of CD8 T cells with a Tcm ype after 7 days of stimulation against 3rd party DCs. Average percent of CD3+CD8+ NKT— T cells (Figure 13A) and Tcm (Figure 13B) are shown as percent of the levels attained in the optimal control group making use of all 4 reagents (CD4/CD56/CDl9/CD45RA).

FIGs. l4A—C depict the effect of different GMP grade reagents used for isolation of CD8 T cells on the final yield of CD8 T cells with a Tcm phenotype after 10 days of ation against 3rd party DCs. Average fold ion from day 0 at day 10 e 14A), and average yield after magnetic sorting (Figure 14B) are shown as percent of the levels attained in the optimal control group making use of all four selection reagents (CD4/CD56/CDl9/CD45RA). The yield of Tcm at day 10 (Figure 14C) was ated by multiplication of the yield after magnetic sorting (at day 0) with the fold expansion from day 0 (at day 10). depicts that changing the source for allogeneic DC stimulators had only minor effect on the expansion potential of the Tcm cells. CD8 T cells were enriched from thawed leukapheresis by depletion of CD4+ and CD56+ cells using the CliniMacs system. The enriched CD8 T cells were then divided into two test groups, each stimulated with ent irradiated neic 3rd party DC, at a ratio of 6:1 in a medium ning IL—21 for 3 days in culture bags. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded in medium containing IL—7, IL—15 and IL—21 until day 11. On days 5, 7, 9 and 11 of culture cell numbers was determined by trypan blue exclusion.

FIGs. l6A—B depict that changing the source for allogeneic DC stimulators had only minor effect on the cell composition. CD8 T cells were ed from thawed leukapheresis by depletion of CD4+ and CD56+ cells using the CliniMacs system for large scale isolation. The enriched CD8 T cells were then divided into two test groups, each stimulated with different irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC (Figures 16A and 16B, respectively), at a ratio of 6:1 in a medium containing IL—2l for 3 days in culture bags.

Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded in medium containing IL—7, IL—15 and IL—21 until day 11. On days 0, 5, 9 and 12 of culture cells were evaluated for cell ition by FACS analysis. All the results are gated from lymphogate and live gate (7AAD—).

FIGs. l7A—B depict that changing the source for allogeneic DC stimulators had only minor effect on the cell composition. CD8 T cells were enriched from thawed leukapheresis by depletion of CD4+ and CD56+ Cells using the CliniMacs system. The enriched CD8 T cells were then divided into two test groups, each stimulated with ent irradiated neic 3rd party DC, at a ratio of 6:1 in a medium containing IL— 21 for 3 days in culture bags. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded in medium ning IL—7, IL—15 and IL—21 until day 11. On days 0, 5, 9 and 12 of culture cells were evaluated for Tcm phenotype (CD45RO+CD62L+) composition by FACS analysis. All the results are gated from lymphogate and live gate (7AAD-) and CD8 T cell (CD3+CD8+CD56—CDl6—).

FIG. l7C s the percent apoptotic cells after 22 hours of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with B—cell lymphoma and plasma cell leukemia cell lines. CalceinAM pre—labeled Daudi, H.My2 ClR HLA A2 K66A mutant or L363 cell lines were incubated for 22 hours with or t 5—fold excess of anti—3rd party Tcm. Annexin V+ cells were determined by FACS. Data is shown as meaniSD of pentaplicate cultures. ***p<0.001 values indicate statistically significant changes ed to samples cultured in the absence of Tcm. depicts a typical experiment showing enrichment for CD8 T cells, at day 14 before graft versus leukemia (GVL) assay, by extensively depleting non CD8 T cells (i.e., CD4+ T cells, y/S T cells, B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, ocytes, and erythroid cells) using ic bead sorting.

FIGs. l9A—D depict H.My ClR ("Neo") and H.My ClR HLA A2 K66A mutant transfectant (”K66A") B—cell blastoid cell lines which were labeled with CalceinAM, a vital dye that is released upon cell death and then incubated for 22 hours with or without rd party Tcm cells at a l to 5 ratio in favor of anti—3rd party Tcm cells. After 22 hours, cells were recovered and analyzed for survival by measuring the 2012/050354 number of surviving Calcein+ stained cells, and for apoptosis by AnnexinV+ cells from the calcein+ population by FACS. s l9A—B and Figures l9C—D represent two independent experiments, respectively; Figures 19A and 19C show killing while Figures 19B and 19D show apoptosis.

The percentage of B lymphoblast line cells killing was calculated by the following formula: £1_ The number of live B lymphoblast line cells in the ed well ] x 100 The number of live B lymphoblast line cells in the control well Negative values signify that the B—cell lymphoblastoid cell lines proliferated in the ce of Tcm.

The percentage of B lymphoblast line cells undergoing specific sis was calculated by the following formula: 2 (% Calcein+AnnexinV+ B blast line cells in the assessed well) — (% Calcein+AnnexinV+ B lymphoblast line cells in the control well). depicts the effect of different GMP grade reagents used for isolation of CD8 T cells on levels of K66A killing. H.My ClR HLA A2 K66A mutant transfectant cell lines were incubated for 22 hours with or t anti—3rd party Tcm cells at a l to ratio in favor of anti—3rd party Tcm cells. After 22 hours, cells were recovered and analyzed for survival by measuring the number of surviving Calcein+ stained cells a by FACS (mean of two independent experiments). Average percent of killing of H.My ClR HLA A2 K66A mutant cells shown as percent of the levels attained by the optimal control group isolated making use of all four reagents (CD4/CD56/CDl9/CD45RA).

FIGs. 21—22 are schematic illustrations depicting protocols for tion of Tcm for autologous (Figure 21) and allogeneic (Figure 22) transplantation.

FIGs. 23A—D depict a typical experiment demonstrating the role of timing of addition of cytokines on the induction of Tcm phenotype in CD8 T cells stimulated by allogeneic 3rd party monocyte—derived mature DC. Figure 23A rates naive CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium containing IL—2l for 3 days. Thereafter the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“reference control group”: d(0—3) IL2l+DC )IL7+IL15); Figure 23B illustrates naive CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL— 21 for 7 days. fter the cells received no r activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13; Figure 23C illustrates CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 with continuous presence of IL— 21 in both the priming phase (IL2l alone ) and in the expansion phase (together with IL— ); Figure 23D illustrates CD8 T cells which were stimulated with irradiated neic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 with cytokine deprivation for 7 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—15 alone until day 13.

FIGs. 24A—B depict the role of timing of addition of cytokines in the human allogeneic model; summary of experiments. Naive CD8 T cells were ated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in a medium containing IL—2l for 3 days. Thereafter the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 13 (“reference control group”: d(0—3) IL2l9 d(3—l3)IL7+IL15).

The other groups were treated as indicated under the graphs. Cultures were evaluated for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion (Figure 24A), and percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells using FACS analysis (Figure 24B). For each time point data represents e i SE of the indicated number (n) of independent experiments. depicts enrichment of rd party specific CD8 T cell by positive selection of CDl37+ cells. Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with ated allogeneic 3rd party DC (at a ratio of 57:1) in the presence of IL—21. After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. The expression of CD137 on CD8 T cells was evaluated by FACS. depicts that enrichment of anti—3rd party specific CD8 T cell by positive selection of CDl37+ cells does not reduce acquisition of Tcm phenotype. Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 10 ("Reference control group"). atively, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 57:1 in the presence of IL—21. After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. CDl37+ cells were then re— ated with ated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL— 21 until day 3. Thereafter the cells were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 10.

Cells were evaluated for percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) from CD8 T cells by FACS analysis. depicts a comparison of proliferation kinetics. Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL— 21 for 3 days. The cells received no further activation thereafter and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 14 ("Reference control group"). Alternatively, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated neic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 5.7:1 in the presence of IL—21. After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. CDl37+ cells were then re—stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC in at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL—21 until day 3. Thereafter, the cells were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 10. On day 10, cells were divided into two test groups. In the first group cells continued to be expanded with IL—7 and IL— until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CDl37+") while cells in the second test group were activated with irradiated host PBMC in the presence of IL—7 and IL—15 (at a ratio of l to 2). After 24 hours, CDl37+ cells were depleted by magnetic sorting. The CD137 depleted cells were re—plated with IL—7 and IL—15 and cultured until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CDl37+ and Anti host CDl37—"). On the ted days, cells were counted by trypan blue exclusion. depicts depletion of ost specific clones by depletion of CDl37+ cells after activation with irradiated host PBMC. On day 10 of culture, 9 days after ve selection of anti—3rd party specific clones, cells were activated by irradiated host PBMC (at a 1:2 ratio, in favor of the host PBMC) in the ce of IL—7 and IL—15.

After 24 h, cells were ed of CDl37+ cells. The expression of CD137 on CD8 T cells was evaluated by FACS analysis. depicts a two stage magnetic g technique, based on CD137 upregulation after antigen ic activation of CD8 T cells successfully depletes anti— host clones and increases the percent of cells specific for 3rd party antigens. Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days. The cells received no further activation thereafter and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 14 ("Reference control ). atively, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 5.7:1 in the presence of IL—21. After 14 hours of tion, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. CDl37+ cells were then re— stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC in at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL—21 until day 3. Thereafter, the cells were expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 10.

On day 10, cells were divided into two test groups. In the first group cells continued to be expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 14 (”Anti 3rd CD137+") while cells in the second test group were activated with irradiated host PBMC in the presence of IL—7 and IL—15 (at a ratio of l to 2). After 24 h, CD137+ cells were depleted by magnetic sorting.

The CD137 depleted cells were re plated with IL—7 and IL—15 and cultured until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CD137+ and Anti host CDl37—"). On day 14, anti 3rd party and anti—host alloreactivity was evaluated by CFSE assay t 3rd party or irradiated host PBMCs.

For the CFSE assay, 1 x 106 CFSE+ responders were incubated with or without 2 x 106 irradiated (20 gy) PBMC stimulators for 84 h in the presence of IL—7. After 84 h, cells were recovered and ed for cell division by measuring the number of CFSE low stained CD8 T cells (CD3+CD8+CD56—) cells by FACS. To obtain absolute values of cells, samples were suspended in a constant volume and ﬂow cytometric counts for each sample were obtained during a constant, ermined period of time. The number of specific ng cells 2 (Number of dividing cell with APC) — (Number of dividing cell without APC). Negative values signify that the number of dividing cells in response to activation with host PBMC was even lower that the number of dividing cell t any activation.

DESCRIPTION OF IC MENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, s to tolerance inducing and/or graft versus leukemia ve anti—third party cells comprising central memory T—lymphocyte phenotype and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of generating same and to the use of same in transplantation and in disease treatment.

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

While reducing the present invention to practice, the present inventors have uncovered an improved population of anti—third party central memory T (Tcm) cells which homes to the lymph nodes following transplantation and induces tolerance and anti—disease activity (e. g. graft versus leukemia (GVL) activity) without inducing a graft versus host (GVH) reaction.

As is shown hereinbelow and in the Examples section which follows, the present inventors have provided new methods of ting Tcm cells for allogeneic and autologous applications. As shown in s 1A and 21, gous Tcm cells, which are endowed with anti—disease activity (e. g. anti—tumor activity), were ted by first exposing CD8+ T cells to allogeneic stimuli (e.g. dendritic cells) in the presence of IL—2l for 3 days and subsequently adding IL—lS and IL—7 to the cells with the antigenic stimuli for r 1—2 days. Next, the resultant cells were cultured in an antigen free environment in the presence of IL—2l, IL—lS and IL—7 for additional 6—8 days.

As depicted in Figures 1B and 22, allogeneic Tcm cells, which are nce inducing cells and are endowed with GVL activity, were generated by first exposing CD8+ T cells to a third party stimuli (e. g. dendritic cells) in the ce of IL—2l for 3 days. Approximately 14 hours from the beginning of culture, the activated cells were selected by positive selection of CDl37+, and these cells were re—cultured with IL—2l.

Subsequently, IL—lS and IL—7 were added to the IL—2l culture with the antigenic stimuli for another 1—2 days. Next, the resultant cells were cultured in an antigen free environment in the ce of IL—2l, IL—lS and IL—7 for additional 6—8 days. At the end of culture, the Tcm cells were depleted of alloreactive cells by depletion of CDl37+ cells following contacting of the Tcm cells with host type antigen presenting cells (e. g. tic cells).

The cells generated by the present inventors sed more than 50 % CD3+CD8+ cells of which more than 50 % are Tcm cells (i.e. comprise a CD3+, CD8+, CD62L+, CD45RA', CD45RO+ signature see e.g. Example 1 of the Examples section which follows) and comprised TCR independent anti—leukemic ty (see Example 2).

Taken er, these results substantiate the use of anti—third party Tcm cells as graft facilitating cells and for use in e treatment in situations in which allogeneic transplantation is warranted (e.g. hematopoietic stem cell lantation or in solid organ transplantation). Furthermore, these results substantiate the use anti—third party Tcm cells in disease treatment in ions in which gous transplantation is needed, such as for hematological malignancies.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an isolated population of cells comprising non—GVHD ng anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being tolerance— inducing cells and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation.

The phrase "isolated population of cells" as used herein refers to cells which have been isolated from their natural environment (e.g., the human body).

The term "non—GVHD" as used herein refers to having substantially reduced or no graft versus host ng reactivity. Thus, the cells of the present invention are generated as to not significantly cause graft versus host disease (GVHD) as evidenced by survival, weight and overall appearance of the lanted subject 100 days following transplantation.

As used herein, the term “syngeneic” refers to a cell or tissue which is derived from an individual who is essentially genetically identical with the subject. Typically, essentially fully inbred mammals, mammalian clones, or homozygotic twin s are syngeneic.

Examples of syngeneic cells or s include cells or tissues derived from the subject (also referred to in the art as “autologous”), a clone of the subject, or a homozygotic twin of the subject.

As used herein, the term “non—syngeneic” refers to a cell or tissue which is derived from an individual who is allogeneic or xenogeneic with the t’s lymphocytes.

As used herein, the term “allogeneic” refers to a cell or tissue which is derived from a donor who is of the same species as the subject, but which is substantially non— clonal with the subject. Typically, outbred, non—zygotic twin mammals of the same s are allogeneic with each other. It will be appreciated that an allogeneic donor may be HLA identical or HLA non—identical with respect to the subject.

As used , the term “xenogeneic” refers to a cell or tissue which substantially ses antigens of a different species relative to the species of a substantial proportion of the lymphocytes of the subject. Typically, outbred mammals of different species are xenogeneic with each other.

The t invention ges that xenogeneic cells or tissues are derived from a variety of species such as, but not limited to, bovines (e. g., cow), equids (e. g., horse), porcines (e.g. pig), ovids (e.g., goat, sheep), s (e.g., Felis domestica), canines (e.g., Canis ica), rodents (e. g., mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, gerbil, hamster) or es (e. g., chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, macaque monkey, marmoset).

Cells or tissues of xenogeneic origin (e. g. porcine origin) are preferably ed from a source which is known to be free of zoonoses, such as porcine endogenous retroviruses. Similarly, human—derived cells or tissues are preferably ed from substantially pathogen—free s.

The phrase "anti—third party cells" as used herein refers to lymphocytes (e.g. T lymphocytes) which are directed (e. g. by T cell recognition) against a third party antigen or antigens.

As used herein the phrase "third party antigen or antigens" refers to a soluble or non—soluble (such as membrane associated) antigen or antigens which are not present in either the donor or recipient, as depicted in detail infra.

For example, third party antigens can be third party cells, antigens of viruses, such as for example, Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) or cyto—megalo virus (CMV) or antigens of bacteria, such as ﬂagellin. Viral or bacterial antigens can be presented by cells (e. g., cell line) infected therewith or otherwise made to s viral/bacterial proteins.

Autologous or tologous antigen presenting cells can be used to present short synthetic peptides fused or loaded thereto. Such short peptides may be viral derived peptides or peptides representing any other antigen.

Dedicated software can be used to analyze viral or other sequences to identify immunogenic short peptides, i.e., peptides presentable in context of class I MHC or class II MHC.

Third party cells can be either neic or neic with respects to the recipient (explained in further detail hereinbelow). In the case of allogeneic third party cells, such cells have HLA antigens different from that of the donor but which are not cross reactive with the recipient HLA antigens, such that hird party cells generated against such cells are not reactive against a transplant or recipient antigens.

According to an ment of the present invention the allogeneic or xenogeneic third party cells are stimulatory cells selected from the group consisting of cells purified from eral blood cytes (PBL), spleen or lymph nodes, cytokine—mobilized PBLs, in vitro expanded antigen—presenting cells (APC), in vitro expanded dendritic cells (DC) and artificial antigen presenting cells The artificial APC of the present invention may be engineered to exhibit autologous MHC with a 3rd party peptide or a 3rd party MHC t being pulsed with an exogenous peptide. Thus, according to one embodiment, the artificial APC comprises K562 tumor cells transfected with a third party MHC determinant and a co—stimulatory molecule [as previously described e. g. Suhoski MM et al., Mol Ther. (2007) 15(5): 981- 8], or fibroblasts ected with same.

Third party antigens can be presented on the cellular, viral or bacterial surfaces or derived and/or purified therefrom. Additionally, a viral or ial antigen can be displayed on an ed cell and a ar antigen can be displayed on an artificial vehicle such as a liposome or an artificial antigen presenting cell (e.g. leukemic or fibroblast cell line transfected with the third party antigen or antigens).

The third party antigen may further comprise a synthetic e presented by autologous presenting cells, non—autologous presenting cells or on an artificial vehicle or on artificial antigen presenting cells.

In on, third party antigens can, for example, be proteins extracted or ed from a variety of sources. An example of a purified protein which can serve as a third party antigen according to the present invention is ovalbumin. Other es are envisaged.

Utilizing cells, viruses, bacteria, virally infected, bacteria infected, viral peptides or bacteria peptides presenting cells as third party antigens is particularly ageous since such third party antigens include a diverse array of antigenic determinants and as such direct the formation of anti—third party cells of a diverse population, which may further serve in faster reconstitution of T—cells in cases where such reconstitution is required, e. g., following lethal or sublethal irradiation or chemotherapy procedure.

Furthermore, when anti—third party cells are directed against third party antigens, the cells are d with anti—disease activity. The term “anti—disease activity” refers to the activity (e. g. killing capability) of the Tcm cells t a diseased cell (e. g. cancer cell, such as graft versus leukemia, GVL, activity). This ty is typically due to TCR independent g ed by LFAl—I/CAMl binding [Arditti et al., Blood (2005) 105(8):3365—71. Epub 2004 Jul 6].

According to one embodiment, the third party cells comprise dendritic cells.

According to one embodiment, the third party cells comprise mature dendritic cells.

Methods of generating third party dendritic cells, which may be used as atory cells for inducing Tcm cells, are well known in the art. Thus, as a non— limiting example, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may be obtained from a third party non—syngeneic cell donor [e.g. in case the Tcm cells are syngeneic, e.g. autologous, the dendritic cells (DCs) may be non—syngeneic, e. g. allogeneic, with respect to the subject; whereas if the Tcm cells are non—syngeneic, e. g. allogeneic, the DCs are selected from a donor being non—syngeneic, e. g. allogeneic, and HLA mismatched with both the subject and the Tcm cells]. Monocytes may then be isolated by plastic adherence and ed (e. g. in cell culture plates) using DC cell medium (e. g. Cellgro DC medium) supplemented with human serum (e.g. l % human serum), penicillin/streptomycin and GM—CSF (800 IU/ml) and IL—4 (20 ng/ml) (available from e. g. Peprotech, Hamburg, Germany). After about 48 h of culture, DC medium may be added comprising GM—CSF (1600 IU/ml) and IL—4 (20 ng/ml). About 24 h later, non— adherent cells may be harvested, and large cells (mostly immature DC) may be resuspended in fresh medium containing GM—CSF (800 IU/ml), IL—4 (20 ng/ml), LPS (e.g. from E.coli 055:B5 at 10 ng/ml) and IFNy 100 IU/ml) able from e.g.

Peprotech, g, Germany), plated and incubated overnight. The next day, non— adherent cells may be discarded, and adherent DCs may be gently removed using e. g. cold PBS/1% HS after incubation on ice for 20 minutes, y obtaining large cells consisting of mature DC.

According to one embodiment, the third party cells se irradiated dendritic cells.

Thus, ing to one embodiment, the DCs are irradiated with about 5—10 Gy, about 10—20 Gy, about 20—30 Gy, about 20—40 Gy, about 20—50 Gy, about 10—50 Gy.

According to a specific embodiment, the DCs are irradiated with about 10—50 Gy (e. g.

Gy).

According to some embodiments, the anti—third party cells of the present ion comprise a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype.

The phrase "central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype" as used herein refers to a subset of T cytotoxic cells which home to the lymph nodes. Cells having the Tcm ype, in , typically comprise a CD3+/CD8+/CD62L+/CD45RO+/ CD45RA— signature. It will be appreciated that Tcm cells may express all of the signature markers on a single cell or may express only part of the signature markers on a single cell.

It will be appreciated that at least 30 %, at least 40 %, at least 50 %, at least 55 %, at least 60 %, at least 65 %, at least 70 %, at least 75 %, at least 80 %, at least 85 %, at least 90 %, at least 95 % or even 100 % of the isolated tion of cells are CD3+CD8+ cells. According to a specific embodiment, the isolated population of cells comprise about 70—90 % CD3+CD8+ cells.

It will be appreciated that at least 30 %, at least 40 %, at least 50 %, at least 55 %, at least 60 %, at least 65 %, at least 70 %, at least 75 %, at least 80 %, at least 85 %, at least 90 %, at least 95 % or even 100 % of the CD3+CD8+ cells have the Tcm cell signature. ing to a specific embodiment, about 30—80 % of the CD3+CD8+ cells have the Tcm cell signature (e. g. 40-50 %).

According to one embodiment, there is provided an isolated population of cells comprising anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, wherein at least 50 % of the isolated population of cells are CD3+CD8+ cells of which at least 50 % comprise a CD3+, CD8+, CD62L+, CD45RA', CD45RO+ signature, and further n the cells are nce—inducing cells and/or endowed with isease activity (e. g. graft—versus—leukemia (GVL) activity), and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation.

As mentioned, the Tcm cells typically home to the lymph nodes following transplantation. According to some embodiments the anti—third party Tcm cells of the present invention may home to any of the lymph nodes ing lantation, as for example, the peripheral lymph nodes and mesenteric lymph nodes. The homing nature of these cells allows them to exert their tolerance effect in a rapid and efficient manner.

Thus, the anti—third party Tcm cells of the present invention are tolerance— inducing cells.

The phrase "tolerance inducing cells" as used herein refers to cells which provoke decreased responsiveness of the ent's cells (e. g. recipient's T cells) when they come in t with same as compared to the responsiveness of the recipient's cells in the absence of administered tolerance inducing cells. Tolerance inducing cells include veto cells (i.e. T cells which lead to apoptosis of host T cells upon contact with same) as was previously bed in PCT Publication Nos. and WC 2002/ l 0297 1.

According to some embodiments, the Tcm cells of the present invention may be non—genetically modified cells or genetically modified cells (e. g. cells which have been genetically engineered to express or not express ic genes, markers or peptides or to secrete or not secrete specific cytokines). Any method known in the art may be ented in genetically engineering the cells, such as by inactivation of the relevant gene/s or by insertion of an antisense RNA interfering with polypeptide expression (see e. g. WO/2000/039294, which is hereby orated by reference).

According to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of generating the isolated population of cells, the method comprising: (a) contacting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—2l so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; and (b) culturing the cells resulting from step (a) in the presence of IL—2l, IL—lS and IL—7 in an antigen free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory T— lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype.

The anti—third party Tcm cells of the present invention are typically generated by first contacting syngeneic or non—syngeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens (such as described above) in a culture mented with IL—2l (otherwise cytokine—free culture i.e., t the addition of any additional cytokines). This step is lly carried out for about 12—24 hours, about 12—36 hours, about 12—72 hours, 24—48 hours, 24—36 hours, about 24—72 hours, about 48— 72 hours, 1—2 days, 2—3 days, 1—3 days, 2—4 days, 1—5 days, 2—5 days, 2—6 days, 1—7 days, —7 days, 2—8 days, 8—10 days or 1—10 days and allows enrichment of antigen reactive cells. According to a specific embodiment, contacting of syngeneic or non—syngeneic PBMC with a third party antigen or antigens (such as described above) in a culture supplemented with IL—2l (otherwise cytokine—free culture) is effected for 1—5 days (e. g. 3 days. This step is typically carried out in the presence of about 0.001—3000 ng/ml, 0.001—1000 ng/ml, 0.01—1000 ng/ml, 0.1—1000 ng/ml, 1—1000 ng/ml, 10-1000 ng/ml, 10- 500 ng/ml, 10—300 ng/ml, 10—100 ng/ml, 100—1000 ng/ml, 1—100 ng/ml, 1—50 ng/ml, 1—30 ng/ml, 10—50 ng/ml, 10—30 ng/ml, 10—20 ng/ml, 20—30 ng/ml, 20-50 ng/ml, 30-50 ng/ml, —100 ng/ml, 1—10 ng/ml, 0.1—10 ng/ml, 0.1—100 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml—100 ng/ml IL—21. According to a specific embodiment, the concentration of IL—21 is 10—50 ng/ml (e.g. 30 ng/ml). ing to a ic embodiment, contacting the syngeneic or non—syngeneic PBMC with a third party antigen or antigens is effected in a ne free culture (e. g. supplemented with only IL—21), such a culture condition enables survival and enrichment of only those cells which undergo stimulation and activation by the third party antigen or antigens (i.e. of antigen reactive cells) as these cells secrete nes (e. g. IL—2) which enable their survival (all the rest of the cells die under these culture conditions).

The ratio of third party antigen or antigens (e.g. dendritic cell) to PBMC is typically about 1:2 to about 1:10 such as about 1:4, about 1:6, about 1:8 or about 1:10.

According to a specific embodiment, the ratio of third party antigen or antigens (e.g. dendritic cell) to PBMC is about 1:2 to about 1:8 (e.g. 1:4).

Next, the hird party cells are cultured in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 in an antigen free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the Tcm phenotype. This step is typically d out for about 12—24 hours, about 12—36 hours, about 12—72 hours, 24—48 hours, 24—36 hours, about 24—72 hours, about 48—72 hours, 1—20 days, 1—15 days, 1—10 days, 1—5 days, 5—20 days, 5—15 days, 5—10 days, 1—2 days, 2—3 days, 1—3 days, 2—4 days, 2—5 days, 2—8 days, 2—10 days, 4—10 days, 4—8 days, 6— 8 days, 8—10 days, 7—9 days, 7—11 days, 7—13 days, 7—15 days, 10—12 days, 10—14 days, 12—14 days, 14—16 days, 14—18 days, 16—18 days or 18—20 days. According to a specific embodiment, the anti—third party cells are cultured in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 in an antigen free environment for about 7—11 days (e. g. 8 days) This step is lly carried out in the presence of IL—21 at a concentration of about 0.001—3000 ng/ml, 1000 ng/ml, 0.01—1000 ng/ml, 0.1—1000 ng/ml, 1—1000 ng/ml, 10—1000 ng/ml, 10—500 ng/ml, 10—300 ng/ml, 10—100 ng/ml, 100—1000 ng/ml, 1— 100 ng/ml, 1—50 ng/ml, 1—30 ng/ml, 10—50 ng/ml, 10—30 ng/ml, 10—20 ng/ml, 20-30 ng/ml, 20—50 ng/ml, 30—50 ng/ml, 30—100 ng/ml, l—lO ng/ml, 0.1—10 ng/ml, 0.1—100 ng/ml, l ng/ml—lOO ng/ml IL—Zl. According to a ic embodiment, the concentration of IL—Zl is 10—50 ng/ml (e. g. 30 ng/ml).

This step is further carried out in the ce of IL—lS at a concentration of about 0.001—3000 ng/ml, 0.001—1000 ng/ml, 000 ng/ml, 0.05—1000 ng/ml, 0.1— 1000 ng/ml, 0.5—1000 ng/ml, 0.05—500 ng/ml, 0 ng/ml, 0.1—100 ng/ml, 0.1—10 ng/ml, 0.5—100 ng/ml, l—lOO ng/ml, 5—100 ng/ml, l—50 ng/ml, 5—50 ng/ml, l—lO ng/ml, 5— ng/ml, l—5 ng/ml, 2—3 ng/ml, 2—5 ng/ml, 2—7 ng/ml, 3—5 ng/ml, 3—7 ng/ml, 4—5 ng/ml, —6 ng/ml, 5—7 ng/ml, l—8 ng/ml, lO—lOO ng/ml, lO—lOOO ng/ml, 100—1000 ng/ml.

According to a specific embodiment the concentration of IL—lS is l—lO ng/ml (e.g. 5 ng/ml).

This step is further carried out in the ce of IL—7 at a concentration of about 0.001—3000 ng/ml, 0.001—1000 ng/ml, 0.01—1000 ng/ml, 0.05—1000 ng/ml, 0.1—1000 ng/ml, 0.5—1000 ng/ml, 0.05—500 ng/ml, 0 ng/ml, 0.1—100 ng/ml, 0.1—10 ng/ml, 0.5-100 ng/ml, l—lOO ng/ml, 5—100 ng/ml, l—50 ng/ml, 5—50 ng/ml, l—lO ng/ml, 5—10 ng/ml, l—5 ng/ml, 2—3 ng/ml, 2—5 ng/ml, 2—7 ng/ml, 3—5 ng/ml, 3—7 ng/ml, 4—5 ng/ml, 5—6 ng/ml, 5—7 ng/ml, l—8 ng/ml, lO—lOO ng/ml, lO—lOOO ng/ml, 100—1000 ng/ml. According to a specific embodiment the concentration of IL—7 is l—lO ng/ml (5 ng/ml).

The present inventors have collected h laborious experimentation and screening a number of criteria which may be sed towards to improving the proliferation of anti—third party cells comprising a central memory hocyte (Tcm) phenotype being devoid of graft versus host (GVH) reactive cells and/or being enhanced for isease (e. g. GVL) reactive cells.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs are depleted of non—adherent cells prior to contacting with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—Zl.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs are depleted of CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells prior to contacting with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—21.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs are selected for CD45RA+ cells prior to contacting with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—Zl.

Depletion of CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells may be carried out using any method known in the art, such as by affinity based purification (e. g. such as by the use of MACS beads, FACS sorter and/or capture ELISA labeling). Such a step may be beneficial in 2012/050354 order to increase the purity of the CD8+ cells within the culture (i.e. eliminate other lymphocytes within the cell culture e. g. T CD4+ cells or NK cells) or in order to se the number of CD8+ T cells.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs comprise non—adherent cells.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs comprise CD8+ T cells.

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs comprise naive CD8+ T cells.

Selection of naive CD8+ T cells may be effected by selection of cells expressing CD45RA+ and/or cells expressing CD45RO— and may be carried out using any method known in the art, such as by ty based purification (e.g. such as by the use of MACS beads, FACS sorter and/or capture ELISA labeling).

According to one embodiment, the PBMCs comprise CD45RA+ cells.

An additional step which may be carried out in accordance with the t teachings e culturing the PBMCs cells with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—2l, IL—lS and IL—7 prior to removing the third party antigen or ns from the cell culture (i.e. prior to generating an antigen free environment).

This step is typically carried out for about 12—24 hours, about 12—36 hours, about 12—72 hours, 24—48 hours, 24—36 hours, about 24—72 hours, about 48—72 hours, 1—2 days, 2—3 days, 1—3 days, 2—4 days, 1—5 days or 2—5 days, and is effected at the same doses of IL— 21, IL—lS and IL—7 indicated above. According to a specific ment, culturing the PBMCs cells with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—2l, IL—lS and IL—7 is carried out for 12 hours to 4 days (e. g. 1—2 days). onally or alternatively, an additional two step process which allows selection and isolation of activated cells may be d out. Such a selection step aids in removal of potential host ve T cells in situations where the PBMCs are non— syngeneic with respect to the subject (as described in further detail below).

Thus, isolating activated cells may be carried out in a two stage approach. In the first stage activated cells are selected before culturing the cells in the presence of IL—lS and IL—7. This first stage is typically carried out after the initial contacting of the PBMC with a third party antigen or antigens in the presence of IL—2l. This selection process picks only those cells which were activated by the third party antigen (e.g. express activation markers as described below) and is typically affected about 12—24 hours, about 24—36 hours, about 12—36 hours, about 36—48 hours, about 12—48 hours, about 48— 60 hours, about 12—60 hours, about 60—72 hours, about 12—72 hours, about 72—84 hours, about 12—84 hours, about 84—96 hours, about 12—96 hours, after the initial contacting of the PBMC with a third party antigen or ns. According to a specific embodiment, the selection process is effected about 12—24 hours (e. g. 14 hours) after the l contacting of the PBMC with a third party antigen or antigens.

Isolating ted cells may be effected by affinity based purification (e. g. such as by the use of MACS beads, FACS sorter and/or capture ELISA labeling) and may be effected s any tion markers including cell surface markers such as, but not limited to, CD69, CD44, CD25, CFSE, CD137 or non—cell surface markers such as, but not limited to, IFN—y and IL—2. Isolating activated cells may also be effected by morphology based purification (e.g. isolating large cells) using any method known in the art (e. g. by FACS). Typically, the activated cells are also selected for expression of CD8+ cells. Furthermore, any combination of the above methods may be utilized to efficiently isolate activated cells.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, selecting for activated cells is effected by ion of CDl37+ and/or CD25+ cells.

The second stage of isolation of activated cells is typically carried out at the end of culturing (i.e. after culturing in an antigen free environment with IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7). This stage depletes alloreactive cells by ion of those cells which were activated following contacting of the central memory hocyte (Tcm) with irradiated host antigen presenting cells (APCs e. g. dendritic cells). As mentioned above, isolating activated cells may be ed by affinity based purification (e. g. such as by the use of MACS beads, FACS sorter and/or capture ELISA labeling) and may be effected s any tion markers including cell surface markers such as, but not limited to, CD69, CD44, CD25, CFSE, CD137 or non—cell surface markers such as, but not limited to, IFN—y and IL—2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, depleting the alloreactive cells is effected by ion of CDl37+ and/or CD25+ cells.

Following are a number of non—limiting examples of protocols which can be used according to some embodiments of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising anti—third party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, the cells being tolerance—inducing cells and/or endowed with anti—disease activity (e. g. graft—versus—leukemia (GVL) activity), and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating non—adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting the CD8+ T cells with third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; (c) culturing the cells resulting from step (b) with the third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing the cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 in an n free environment for 5—20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype.

The above describe protocol is typically used for no—syngeneic lantation and therefore the PBMC used are lly allogeneic with respect to a subject (e.g. from an allogeneic donor).

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising hird party cells having a central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) ype, the cells being endowed with anti— disease activity (e.g. anti—tumor cell activity), and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating non—adherent eral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting the CD8+ T cells with non—syngeneic dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; (c) ing the cells ing from step (b) with the non—syngeneic dendritic cells in the ce of IL—21, IL—15 and IL—7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing the cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL— 21, IL—15 and IL—7 in an antigen free nment for 5—20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising the central memory T—lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype.

The above be protocol is typically used for syngeneic transplantation and therefore the PBMC used are typically autologous with respect to a subject (e. g. from the subject).

Thus, as mentioned, the PBMC may be eic or ngeneic with respect to a subject.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the non—syngeneic PBMCs of the present invention may be allogeneic or xenogeneic with respect to the t (explained in further detail hereinbelow).

The source of the PBMCs will be determined with respect to the intended use of the cells (see further details hereinbelow) and is well within the capability of one d in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided .

The use of tolerance inducing cells is especially beneficial in situations in which there is a need to eliminate graft rejection and overcome graft versus host disease (GVHD), such as in lantation of allogeneic or xenogeneic cells or tissues.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating a subject in need of a cell or tissue transplantation, the method comprising lanting a cell or organ transplant into the subject and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated population of cells.

As used herein, the term “treating” includes abrogating, substantially inhibiting, slowing or reversing the progression of a condition, substantially ameliorating clinical or aesthetical symptoms of a condition or substantially preventing the appearance of clinical or tical symptoms of a condition.

As used herein, the term "subject" or “subject in need thereof’ refers to a mammal, preferably a human being, male or female at any age that is in need of a cell or tissue transplantation or suffers from a disease which may be treated with the Tcm cells.

Typically the subject is in need of cell or tissue transplantation (also referred to herein as ent) due to a disorder or a pathological or red condition, state, or syndrome, or a physical, morphological or physiological ality which is amenable to treatment via cell or tissue transplantation. Examples of such disorders are provided further below.

As used herein, the phrase “cell or tissue transplantation” refers to a bodily cell (e.g. a single cell or a group of cells) or tissue (e.g. solid tissues/organs or soft tissues, which may be transplanted in full or in part). Exemplary tissues or organs which may be transplanted according to the present teachings include, but are not limited to, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, heart, lung, skin, intestine and id/hematopoietic tissues (e. g. lymph node, s patches thymus or bone marrow). Exemplary cells which may be transplanted according to the present teachings include, but are not limited to, immature hematopoietic cells including stem cells. Furthermore, the present invention also contemplates transplantation of whole organs, such as for example, kidney, heart, liver or skin.

Depending on the application, the method may be effected using a cell or tissue which is syngeneic or non—syngeneic with the subject.

According to an ment of the present ion, both the subject and the donor are humans.

Depending on the application and available sources, the cells or tissues of the t invention may be obtained from a al organism, postnatal organism, an adult or a cadaver donor. Moreover, depending on the application needed the cells or tissues may be naive or genetically modified. Such determinations are well within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art Any method known in the art may be employed to obtain a cell or tissue (e. g. for transplantation).

Transplanting the cell or tissue into the subject may be effected in numerous ways, depending on various parameters, such as, for e, the cell or tissue type; the type, stage or severity of the recipient's disease (e.g. organ failure); the physical or physiological parameters specific to the subject; and/or the desired eutic outcome.

Transplanting a cell or tissue transplant of the t invention may be effected by transplanting the cell or tissue transplant into any one of various anatomical locations, depending on the application. The cell or tissue lant may be transplanted into a homotopic anatomical location (a normal anatomical location for the transplant), or into an ectopic anatomical location (an abnormal ical on for the transplant).

Depending on the application, the cell or tissue transplant may be advantageously implanted under the renal capsule, or into the kidney, the testicular fat, the sub cutis, the m, the portal vein, the liver, the spleen, the heart cavity, the heart, the chest cavity, the lung, the skin, the pancreas and/or the intra abdominal space.

For example, a liver tissue according to the present teachings may be transplanted into the liver, the portal vein, the renal capsule, the sub—cutis, the omentum, the spleen, and the intra—abdominal space. lantation of a liver into various ical locations such as these is commonly practiced in the art to treat diseases amenable to treatment via hepatic transplantation (e.g. c failure). Similarly, transplanting a pancreatic tissue according to the present invention may be ageously effected by transplanting the tissue into the portal vein, the liver, the pancreas, the testicular fat, the sub—cutis, the omentum, an intestinal loop (the osa of a U loop of the small intestine) and/or the intra—abdominal space. Transplantation of pancreatic tissue may be used to treat diseases amenable to treatment via pancreatic transplantation (e.g. diabetes). Likewise, transplantation of tissues such as a , a heart, a lung or skin tissue may be carried out into any anatomical location described above for the purpose of treating recipients suffering from, for example, renal failure, heart failure, lung failure or skin damage (e. g., burns).

The method of the present invention may also be used, for example, for treating a recipient suffering from a disease requiring immature hematopoietic cell lantation.

In the latter case, immature autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic hematopoietic cells (including stem cells) which can be derived, for example, from bone marrow, mobilized peripheral blood (by for example leukapheresis), fetal liver, yolk sac and/or cord blood of the donor and which are preferably T—cell depleted CD34+ immature hematopoietic cells, can be transplanted to a recipient suffering from a disease. Such a disease includes, but is not limited to, leukemia such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute phoblastic leukemia (ANLL), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) or chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), severe combined immunodeficiency syndromes (SCID), including adenosine deaminase (ADA), osteopetrosis, ic anemia, Gaucher's disease, thalassemia and other congenital or genetically—determined hematopoietic abnormalities.

It will be iated that the immature autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic hematopoietic cells of the present invention may be transplanted into a recipient using any method known in the art for cell lantation, such as but not limited to, cell infusion (e. g. I.V.) or via an intraperitoneal route.

Optionally, when transplanting a cell or tissue lant of the present invention into a subject having a defective organ, it may be ageous to first at least partially remove the failed organ from the subject so as to enable optimal development of the transplant, and structural/functional integration thereof with the anatomy/physiology of the subject.

According to one embodiment, the immature hematopoietic cells and the isolated population of cells are derived from the same donor.

According to one embodiment, the re hematopoietic cells and the isolated population of cells are derived from the same subject.

The method of the present invention also envisions co—transplantation of several organs (e. g. heart and lung tissues) in case the subject may be beneficially effected by such a procedure.

According to one embodiment, the nsplantation comprises lantation of immature hematopoietic cells and a solid tissue/organ or a number of solid organs/tissues.

According to one embodiment, the immature hematopoietic cells and the solid organ or obtained from the same donor. ing to r embodiment, the re hematopoietic cells and the solid organ/tissue or organs/tissue are obtained from different (non—syngeneic) donors. ing to one embodiment, the immature hematopoietic cells are transplanted prior to, concomitantly with, or following the transplantation of the solid organ According to an embodiment, hematopoietic chimerism is first induced in the subject by transplantation of immature hematopoietic cells in conjunction with the Tcm cells of the present invention, leading to tolerance of other tissues/organs transplanted from the same donor.

According to an embodiment, the Tcm cells of the present invention are used per se for reduction of rejection of lanted s/organs organs transplanted from the same donor.

In a further embodiment, the cell or tissue transplant and the isolated population of cells are derived from the same donor.

In a further embodiment, the cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the subject and the ed population of cells are non—syngeneic with the subject.

In a further embodiment, the cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the subject and the ed population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

Following transplantation of the cell or tissue lant into the subject according to the present teachings, it is advisable, according to standard l ce, to monitor the growth functionality and immuno—compatability of the organ according to any one of various standard art techniques. For example, the functionality of a pancreatic tissue transplant may be monitored ing transplantation by standard pancreas function tests (e.g. analysis of serum levels of insulin). Likewise, a liver tissue transplant may be red following lantation by rd liver function tests (e.g. analysis of serum levels of albumin, total protein, ALT, AST, and bilirubin, and analysis of blood—clotting time). Structural development of the cells or tissues may be monitored via erized tomography, or ultrasound imaging.

Depending on the transplantation context, in order to facilitate engraftment of the cell or tissue transplant, the method may further advantageously comprise conditioning the subject under hal, lethal or supralethal conditions prior to the transplanting.

As used herein, the terms “sublethal”, “lethal”, and “supralethal”, when relating to conditioning of subjects of the present invention, refer to myelotoxic and/or lymphocytotoxic treatments which, when applied to a representative population of the ts, respectively, are typically: non—lethal to essentially all members of the population; lethal to some but not all members of the population; or lethal to ially all members of the population under normal conditions of sterility.

According to one embodiment, the conditioning step is effected by conditioning the subject under supralethal conditions, such as under myeloablative ions.

Alternatively, the conditioning step may be effected by conditioning the subject under lethal or sublethal conditions, such as by conditioning the subject under myeloreductive conditions.

Examples of conditioning agents which may be used to condition the subject include, without limitation, irradiation, pharmacological agents, and tolerance—inducing cells (as described herein).

Examples of pharmacological agents include myelotoxic drugs, cytotoxic drugs and immunosuppressant drugs.

Examples of myelotoxic drugs include, without limitation, busulfan, dimethyl mileran, melphalan and thiotepa.

The method may r advantageously comprise conditioning the subject with an immunosuppressive regimen prior to, concomitantly with, or following transplantation of the cell or tissue transplant.

Examples of suitable types of immunosuppressive regimens include administration of immunosuppressive drugs, tolerance inducing cell populations (as described in detail below), and/or immunosuppressive irradiation.

Ample ce for selecting and administering suitable immunosuppressive regimens for transplantation is provided in the literature of the art (for example, refer to: Kirkpatrick CH. and Rowlands DT Jr., 1992. JAMA. 268, 2952; Higgins RM. et al., 1996. Lancet 348, 1208; Suthanthiran M. and Strom TB., 1996. New Engl. J. Med. 331, 365; Midthun DE. et al., 1997. Mayo Clin Proc. 72, 175; Morrison VA. et al., 1994. Am J Med. 97, 14; Hanto DW., 1995. Annu Rev Med. 46, 381; Senderowicz AM. et al., 1997. Ann Intern Med. 126, 882; Vincenti F. et al., 1998. New Engl. J. Med. 338, 161; Dantal J. et al. 1998. Lancet 351, 623).

Preferably, the immunosuppressive regimen consists of administering at least one immunosuppressant agent to the subject.

Examples of immunosuppressive agents include, but are not limited to, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, cyclosporin A, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine (sulphasalazopyrine), gold salts, D—penicillamine, mide, azathioprine, ra, inﬂiximab (REMICADE), etanercept, TNF.alpha. blockers, a biological agent that s an inﬂammatory cytokine, and Non—Steroidal Anti—Inﬂammatory Drug (NSAIDs). es of NSAIDs include, but are not limited to acetyl salicylic acid, choline magnesium salicylate, diﬂunisal, magnesium salicylate, salsalate, sodium salicylate, diclofenac, etodolac, fenoprofen, ﬂurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, meclofenamate, naproxen, nabumetone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, sulindac, tolmetin, inophen, ibuprofen, Cox—2 inhibitors, tramadol, rapamycin (sirolimus) and rapamycin analogs (such as 9, RADOOl, AP23573). These agents may be administered individually or in combination.

Regardless of the transplant type, to avoid graft rejection and graft versus host disease, the method of the present invention es the novel anti third party Tcm cells (as bed in detail hereinabove). ing to the method of the present invention, these anti third party Tcm cells are administered either concomitantly with, prior to, or following the transplantation of the cell or tissue lant.

The anti third party Tcm cells may be administered via any method known in the art for cell transplantation, such as but not limited to, cell on (e. g. I.V.) or via an intraperitoneal route.

Without being bound to theory, a therapeutically effective amount is an amount of anti—third party Tcm cells efficient for tolerization, anti—tumor effect and/or immune titution t inducing GVHD. Since the Tcm cells of the present invention home to the lymph nodes following transplantation, lower amounts of cells (compared to the dose of cells previously used, see for example ) may be needed to achieve the beneficial effect/s of the cells (e. g. tolerization, anti—tumor effect and/or immune reconstitution). It will be appreciated that lower levels of immunosuppressive drugs may be needed in ction with the Tcm cells of the present ion (such as exclusion of rapamycin from the therapeutic protocol).

Determination of the therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.

For any preparation used in the methods of the invention, the therapeutically effective amount or dose can be estimated initially from in vitro and cell culture assays.

For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a desired concentration or titer. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans.

For example, in case of tissue transplantation the number of anti—third party Tcm cells infused to a recipient should be more than 1 x 104/Kg body weight. The number of anti—third party Tcm cells d to a recipient should typically be in the range of l x 103 /Kg body weight to 1 x 104 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 104 /Kg body weight to 1 x 105 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 104 /Kg body weight to 1 x 106 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 104 /Kg body weight to 1 x 107 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 104 /Kg body weight to 1 x 108 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 103 /Kg body weight to 1 x 105 /Kg body weight, range of l x 104 /Kg body weight to l x 106 /Kg body weight, range of l x 106 /Kg body weight to 1 x 107 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 105 /Kg body weight to 1 x 107 /Kg body weight, range of 1 x 106 /Kg body weight to 1 x 108 /Kg body weight.

According to a specific embodiment, the number of hird party Tcm cells infused to a recipient should be in the range of l X 105 /Kg body weight to l X 107 /Kg body weight.

Thus, the novel anti—third party Tcm cells of the present invention may be used as adjuvant therapy for a cell or tissue lant (as described hereinabove). In addition the novel Tcm cells of the present invention are also endowed with anti—disease activity (e. g. anti—tumor cell activity, as described in further detail hereinabove) and thus may be used per se for disease treatment.

According to a specific embodiment, in order to obtain a graft versus diseased cell activity (e. g. anti—tumor effect such as eukemia treatment), syngeneic cells as well as non—syngeneic cells may be used.

Thus, the method of the present invention may be applied to treat any e such as, but not d to, a malignant disease, a disease associated with transplantation of a graft, an infectious e such as a viral disease or a bacterial disease, an inﬂammatory disease and/or an autoimmune disease.

Diseases which may be treated using the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, malignant diseases such as leukemia [e.g., acute tic, acute lymphoblastic, acute lymphoblastic pre—B cell, acute blastic T cell leukemia, acute — megakaryoblastic, monocytic, acute myelogenous, acute myeloid, acute myeloid with eosinophilia, B cell, basophilic, c myeloid, chronic, B cell, eosinophilic, Friend, granulocytic or myelocytic, hairy cell, lymphocytic, megakaryoblastic, monocytic, monocytic—macrophage, myeloblastic, myeloid, myelomonocytic, plasma cell, pre—B cell, promyelocytic, subacute, T cell, lymphoid neoplasm, predisposition to myeloid malignancy, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, T—cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T—ALL) and B—cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B— CLL)], lymphoma (e.g., Hodgkin's disease, dgkin's lymphoma, B cell, Burkitt, cutaneous T cell, cytic, lymphoblastic, T cell, thymic), carcinoma, blastoma and sarcoma; diseases associated with transplantation of a graft (e. g. graft rejection, chronic graft rejection, subacute graft rejection, hyper—acute graft rejection, acute graft rejection and graft versus host disease); infectious diseases including, but are not d to, chronic infectious diseases, subacute infectious diseases, acute infectious diseases, viral diseases (e.g. EBV, CMV, HIV), bacterial diseases, protozoan diseases, parasitic diseases, fungal diseases, mycoplasma diseases and prion diseases; inﬂammatory diseases (e.g. chronic inﬂammatory diseases and acute inﬂammatory diseases); and autoimmune diseases (e.g. cardiovascular es, rheumatoid diseases, glandular diseases, intestinal diseases, cutaneous diseases, hepatic diseases, neurological diseases, muscular diseases, nephric diseases, diseases related to reproduction, connective tissue diseases and systemic diseases).

Thus, the method of the present ion can rmore be advantageously applied towards treating a disease in a subject while concomitantly facilitating engraftment of a transplant of cells or tissues syngeneic with the anti—third party Tcm cells (e. g. in situations where the cell or tissue transplant and the anti—third party cells are derived from the same donor).

As used herein the term “about” refers to i 10 %.

The terms ises", "comprising", "includes", "including", g” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term “consisting of means “including and limited to”.

The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed ition, method or structure.

As used herein, the ar form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context y dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of nds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inﬂexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as dual cal values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be ered to have specifically sed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a cal range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” “to77 a first te number a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to e the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

As used herein the term d" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task ing, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or y developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by tioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the ion. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those ts.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following es.

EXAMPLES Reference is now made to the ing examples, which together with the above descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures utilized in the present invention include molecular, biochemical, microbiological and inant DNA techniques. Such ques are thoroughly explained in the ture. See, for example, "Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual" Sambrook et al., (1989); "Current Protocols in lar Biology" Volumes l—lll Ausubel, R. M., ed. (1994); Ausubel et al., "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley and Sons, ore, Maryland (1989); Perbal, "A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning", John Wiley & Sons, New York ; Watson et al., "Recombinant DNA", Scientific American Books, New York; Birren et al. (eds) "Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series", Vols. 1—4, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1998); ologies as set forth in US. Pat. Nos. 4,666,828; 4,683,202; 4,801,531; 5,192,659 and 5,272,057; "Cell Biology: A Laboratory ok", Volumes l—lll Cellis, J. E., ed. (1994); "Current Protocols in Immunology" s l—III Coligan J. E., ed. ; Stites et al. (eds), "Basic and Clinical Immunology" (8th Edition), Appleton & Lange, k, CT (1994); Mishell and Shiigi (eds), "Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology", W. H. Freeman and Co., New York (1980); available immunoassays are extensively described in the patent and scientific literature, see, for example, US. Pat.

Nos. 3,791,932; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,850,578; 3,853,987; 3,867,517; 3,879,262; 3,901,654; 3,935,074; 3,984,533; 3,996,345; 4,034,074; 4,098,876; 4,879,219; ,011,771 and 5,281,521; "Oligonucleotide Synthesis" Gait, M. J., ed. (1984); “Nucleic Acid Hybridization" Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J eds. (1985); "Transcription and Translation" Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J., Eds. (1984); "Animal Cell Culture" Freshney, R. 1., ed. (1986); "Immobilized Cells and Enzymes" IRL Press, ; "A cal Guide to Molecular Cloning" Perbal, B., (1984) and "Methods in Enzymology" Vol. l—3l7, Academic Press; "PCR Protocols: A Guide To Methods And Applications", Academic Press, San Diego, CA (1990); Marshak et al., "Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization — A Laboratory Course Manual" CSHL Press (1996); all of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Other general references are provided throughout this document. The procedures therein are believed to be well known in the art and are provided for the convenience of the reader.

All the information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.

GENERAL MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Peripheral blood clear cells (PBMC) PBMC were isolated from whole blood of patients and from healthy eers by Ficoll density gradient fugation. When indicated the cells were typed for Class 2012/050354 I HLA by serological methods as usly described [Manual of Tissue Typing Techniques. Washington DC, National ute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH DHEW ation 76—545, 1976, p 22].

Tumor cell lines H.My2 ClR HLA A2 K66A transfectant cells and H.My2 ClR HLA A2 w.t. ectant B cell line were used.

ClR, a human B—cell lymphoblastoid line lacking e HLA A and B antigens, derived from Hmy.2 B—LCL by gamma irradiation followed by selection for Class I monoclonal antibodies and complement as previously described [Storkus W], et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1989) 86: 2361—2364] was used.

ClR—neo, a stable transfectant cell line established in 1987 by electroporation of the ClR cell line with a modified neomycin esistant eukaryotic vector, pSP65— Neo (the vector did not carry an insert), as previously described [Grumet FC, et al.

Hum. Immunol. (1994) 40: 228—234] was used.

Dendritic cell generation Monocytes were isolated by plastic adherence and cultured in 6—well plates using 3 ml of Cellgro DC medium supplemented with 1 % human serum and penicillin/streptomycin plus GM—CSF (800 IU/ml) and lL—4 (20 ng/ml) (Peprotech, Hamburg, Germany). After 48 h of culture, 1.5 ml of medium was added (+GM—CSF at 1600 IU/ml and IL4 at 20 ng/ml). 24 h later, non—adherent cells were harvested, and large cells (mostly immature DC) were counted, resuspended in fresh medium containing GM—CSF 800 IU/ml, IL—4 20 ng/ml, LPS from E.coli 055:B5 at 10 ng/ml (Sigma, Deisenhofen, Germany) and IFNy (Peprotech,100 IU/ml), and plated at approximately 106 DC per well in 2 ml and incubated overnight. The next day, non— adherent cells were discarded, and adherent DC were gently removed using cold PBS/1 % HS after incubation on ice for 20 minutes. Large cells ting of mature DC were counted. The cells were irradiated with 30 Gy to avoid outgrowth of few potentially contaminating NK— or memory T—cells and were then used for T—cell stimulation.

Isolation of Nai’ve CD8 T-cells from PBMC Naive CD8 T cells were isolated by initial ve selection using a CD8 negative selection kit (Miltenyi, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) according to the manufacturer's instructions. n—experienced CD8+ T—cells were then depleted using CD45RO— beads and on LD column.

Generation ofanti-3rdparty central memory human CD8 T-cells Naive CD8 T cells were isolated and resuspended in T—cell medium supplemented with IL—2l (Peprotech, 30 ng/ml). hradiated DCs were added at a 1:4 DCzT—cell ratio with 4 x 105 T—cells per well of a 48—well plate. Total volume of each well was 500 ul. 72 h after initiation of the culture, 500 ul T—cell medium with IL—7 and IL—15 (Peprotech, 5 ng/ml final concentrations) were added and cells were subsequently fed every 2—3 days as e in the results n.

GVL assay H.My ClR (”Neo") and H.My ClR HLA A2 K66A mutant transfectant (”K66A") B lymphoblast line cells were obtained by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and were labeled with 0.15 ug/mlCalceinAM (Molecular Probes, Inc, Eugene, OR), a vital dye that is released upon cell death, according to manufacturer’s instructions. Next, 2 x 105 Calcein labeled B lymphoblast line cells were incubated with or without rd party Tcm for 22 hours at a l to 5 ratio in favor of anti—3rd party Tcms in 24 well plates. Prior to the co culture rd party Tcm were enriched for CD8+ T cells by a negative selection kit (Miltenyi, Bergisch Gladbach, y).

No exogenous cytokines were added to the MLR. Cells were recovered and analyzed for survival by measuring the number of ing Calcein stained B lymphoblast line cells by FACS. For detection of apoptosis by AnnexinV+ samples were incubated with 5 ul AnnexinV—APC (BD) for 15 minutes at room temperature. Subsequently, d nV was washed out, and samples were analyzed by FACS. To obtain absolute values of cells, samples were suspended in constant volume and ﬂow cytometric counts for each sample were obtained during a constant, predetermined period of time and were compared with ﬂow cytometric counts obtained with fixed volume and fixed numbers of input cells. Survival rate are presented relative to the al of B lymphoblast line cells alone.

The tage of B lymphoblast line cells killing was calculated by the following formula: The number of live B lymphoblast line cells in the assessed well 1_ x 100 The number of live B lymphoblast line cells in the control well The percentage of B lymphoblast line cells undergoing specific sis was calculated by the following formula: 2 (% Calcein+AnneXinV+ B blast line cells in the assessed well) — (% Calcein+AnneXinV+ B lymphoblast line cells in the control well).

A two stage ic sorting approach for depletion of activity, based on the CD137 activation marker Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with ated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 6:1 in the presence of IL—21 (Peprotech, 30 . After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting (Miltenyi, Bergisch Gladbach, y). CDl37+ cells were then re—stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL—21 tech, 30 ng/ml) until day 3. fter, the cells were expanded with 5 ng/ml IL—7 and 5 ng/ml IL—15 (Peprotech) until day 10. On day 10, cells were divided into two test groups. In the first group cells continued to be expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 14, while cells in the second test group were activated with irradiated host PBMC in the presence of IL—7 and IL—15 (at a ratio of l to 2). After 24 h, CDl37+ cells were depleted by magnetic sorting. The CD137 depleted cells were re plated with IL—7 and IL—15 and cultured until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CDl37+ and Anti host CDl37—"). On day 14, anti 3rd party and anti—host alloreactivity was evaluated by CFSE assay against 3rd party or irradiated host PBMCs.

For the CFSE assay, 1 X 106 CFSE+ responders were incubated with or without 2 X 106 irradiated (20 gy) PBMC stimulators for 84 h in the presence of IL—7. After 84 h, cells were recovered and analyzed for cell division by measuring the number of CFSE low stained CD8 T cells (CD3+CD8+CD56—) by FACS. To obtain absolute values of cells, samples were suspended in a constant volume and ﬂow cytometric counts for each sample were obtained during a constant, predetermined period. The number of specific dividing cells 2 (Number of dividing cell with APC) — (Number of dividing cell without APC). ve values signify that the number of dividing cells in response to activation with host PBMC was even lower that the number of dividing cell without any activation.

EXAMPLE 1 Generation and zation ofhuman anti-thirdparty T central memory (Tcm) cells In order to ate the mouse studies previously presented to clinical application, the procedure was optimized for generating human anti—3rd party cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To that end, different parameters were evaluated ing different reagents for the isolation of CD8 responder cells, the composition of the stimulators and the cytokine milieu. ially, as found in the previously ted mouse model, treatment with central memory T cells (Tcm) could be valuable either in the context of autologous [Lask A et al., Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts), (2010) 116: 424] or in allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) [Ophir E et al., Blood. (2010) 115(10): 2095— 104; Ophir E., 37th EBMT annual meeting, April 3—6, 2011, Paris, France. Oral Presentation Abstract Nr: 662].

In the human autologous setting (Figure 1A) anti—3rd party Tcm can be administrated together with gous BMT. The patient’s own CD8+ T cells are ed and stimulated against allogeneic dendritic cells from an allogeneic donor.

In the human neic setting (Figure 1B), anti—3rd party Tcm can be transplanted together with allogeneic T depleted BM cells. Naive CD8+ T cells originating from the allogeneic BM donor serve as responders and 3rd party donor dendritic cells are used as stimulators to enable the generation of host non—reactive Tcm.

In order to avoid GVHD, the 3rd party donor is ed so as to insure that none of his HLA class I alleles are shared with the HLA class I alleles of the host.

While in both mouse and , the basic envisioned protocol similarly comprised CD8 T cell isolation followed by stimulation against 3rd party cells (Figures lA—B and 2A—B), several other parameters had to be modified in the human protocol, as outlined in Table 1, below.

Considering that autologous Tcm are free of GVHD risk, the optimization of the production protocol largely concentrated on attaining effective expansion of anti—3rd party CD8 T cells with central memory phenotype.

As can be seen in Figure 3A, a new protocol was developed based on three major steps: a) Selection of CD8 T cells from PBMC; b) ation against allogeneic tic cells (DC) for 3 days in the presence of IL—21; and c) Expansion in an antigen free environment with IL—7, IL—lS and IL—Zl for an additional 8 days.

Thus, in this newly developed protocol various parameters differ from that used for the generation of mouse Tcm (Table l and Figures 3A—B). The major differences concern the tissue of origin for the responders and stimulators (PBMC vs. cytes), the stimulators (dendritic cells vs. splenocytes), as well as the cytokine ition.

Table 1: Comparison of autologous human protocol versus the syngeneic mouse protocol for generation of Tcm Frozen PBMC Fresh S nlenoc tes Depletion of dhered cells YES NO (Adherence on plastic 0verni_ht + IL-7) Depletmnofcm ,CD56- + + Responders Flnal if“ comtlilositlonlbffore CD8+ T cells Whole Splenocytes Frozen PBMC Fresh Splenocytes Generation of monocyte YES NO d mature dendritic 3rdparty cells Stimulators Flnal cell c0mp0s1t10n before Dendritic Cells Whole Splenocytes c0- culture w1th responders Splenoc tes?y CD8+ T cells? Irradiated. Cell compos1t10n. .

Irradlated DCs.

Splenocytes Days D_0: IL-21 1s added.

No Cytokines! C0 —Culture: Non adherent cells Ficoll, CD8+ ve (Priming) are transferred to a selection and plating new slate in a new ﬂas IL-7, IL-15,IL-21 IL-lS Antigen free ve selection of CD62L+ Expansion Optimization of a GMP grade protocol for the generation of human anti-3rd party Tcm: The initial attempts to develop a human protocol for the generation of anti—3rd party Tcm was based on a recent study by Wolﬂ et al. [Wolﬂ M et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother (2011) 60(2): 173—186], who described a procedure for the generation of human antigen specific CD8 T cells with a central memory phenotype.

The present ch was based on stimulation against antigen pulsed DC in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days and subsequent expansion in the presence of IL—7 and IL— 15 for an additional 8 days.

In these initial experiments which ed in an impressive expansion of anti— 3rd party Tcm and subsequently served as a reference for further optimization, the following steps were used: a) CD8 T cell enrichment from PBMCs by depletion of non— CD8+ cells. (i.e., CD4+ T cells, y/S T cells, B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, granulocytes and erythroid cells); b) Enrichment of naive cells by depletion of ted cells expressing ; and c) Stimulation of naive CD8 T cells against allogeneic dendritic cells in the ce of IL—21 for 3 days followed by expansion in an antigen free environment with IL—7 and lL—lS for an additional 8 days.

The results of these initial reference experiments, shown in Figures 4A—C, enabled evaluation of the role of different parameters in the protocol, by defining the impact of each parameter on the level of cell expansion and expression level of Tcm phenotype (as described in detail below).

The role ofpriming with ty DCs Considering that autologous Tcm are free of GVHD risk by definition, the first parameter evaluated was the role of stimulation against a 3rd party DC. This step was ally intended to reduce the risk for GVHD in the allogeneic setting, by ive expansion of anti—3rd party clones in the e of stimulation of anti—host clones mediating GVHD.

As illustrated in Figures SA—C and 6A—B, naive CD8 T cells grown with IL—21 in the absence of allogeneic stimulation by dendritic cells, exhibited low proliferation level (2.7 i 1.1 % of that ted by the reference control group), representing on day 7 approximately 0.4 fold expansion from day 0 (most cells died before day 10), and maintaining their naive phenotype (CD45RO—CD62L+, small morphology) (Tcm level was only 10 % from that of nce control group). A similar poor level of differentiation and expansion was found when the cells were maintained with IL—7 and IL—15 in the absence of allogeneic stimulation by dendritic cells; under these ions, the cells maintained their naive phenotype (Tcm level was only 7 i 1.6 % from that of reference control group), though some proliferation was induced (12 i 3.2 % of the control group value, representing on day 13 approximately 6 fold expansion from day 0). Thus, the role of allogeneic third party DC was very critical for ion of the Tcm phenotype and for robust cell ion.

The role 0fIL-21 in the priming and expansion phases ofanti-3rdparty Tcm Generally, both in mouse and human, conventional T cell expansion protocols the ion phase is performed in antigen free environment. However, while in the mouse protocol, only IL—15 was added (Figure 3B), in the human protocol described by Wolﬂ et al. (Wolﬂ et al. 2011, supra), cell expansion was performed in the presence of IL—7 and IL—15. Furthermore, considering that IL—21 was shown to be beneficial if added during the initial priming phase, the role of IL—21 was evaluated herein. stingly, as shown in Figures 7A—C and 8A—B, while priming of naive CD8 T cells by allogeneic DC in the presence or absence of IL—21 had only minor effect on cell composition (data not , priming in the e of IL—21 hampered the acquisition of Tcm phenotype (CD45RO+CD62L+) (Only 69 i 18 % of the Tcm level in the reference control group), and also resulted in reduced proliferation (76 i 23% of the expansion level in the reference control group) es 8A—B). Even in the single experiment out of four, in which expansion was not reduced (140 % of nce control group) the Tcm phenotype was only 35 % of the Tcm level in the reference control group, suggesting that priming in the presence of IL—21 is important for both expansion and induction of Tcm phenotype from the naive CD8 T cell tion.

Interestingly, continuous presence of IL—21 in both the priming phase (IL—21 alone) and in the expansion phase (together with IL—7 and IL—15) consistently improved induction of cells of the central memory phenotype (108 i 1.9 % of the Tcm level in the reference control group) (Figures 7A—C and 8A—B). The impact of continuous IL—2l presence on cell expansion to higher average increase (135 i , gh y leading 47 % of the values found in the reference control group) was less consistent, leading in two out of three experiments to slightly d expansion (95 % and 81 % of reference values, respectively), while in the third experiment, exhibiting dramatically enhanced expansion (228 %), indicating that adding IL—21 in both the priming and expansion phases might be desirable (Figures 8A—B).

Composition ofthe 3rd party stimulator cells The results described above show that the sequential addition of IL—21, IL—7, and IL—15 must be accompanied by allogeneic stimulation by monocyte derived mature DC for successful induction of Tcm phenotype and for robust cell expansion.

To simplify the procedure, an experiment was carried out to evaluate whether the essential allogeneic stimulation could be delivered by irradiated PBMCs instead of monocyte derived mature DC that requires a 4 day preparation.

As can be seen in Table 2 below, at 7 days of culture, the ency of induction of Tcm phenotype by PBMC, as opposed to monocyte derived mature DC (md—mDC), stimulators was very similar, both when purified naive CD8 T cells (92 % vs. 92 %, respectively) and when un—separated CD8 T cells served as responders (77 % vs. 80 %). r, the PBMC stimulators were not able to elicit the same level of Tcm expansion ed to DCs using either naive CD8 T cells (6.75 vs. 20.5, respectively) or un—separated CD8 T cells (1.8 vs. 16) as ders.

Table 2: The critical role of DCs as stimulators Fold expansion %Tcm fr md0 all 0 Gr0up (CD3+CD8+CD62L+CD45RA-) Naive CD8 T cells 9(md-mDC) Naive CD8 T cells 9 PBMC Un-separated CD8 T cells 9 (md-mDC) Un-separated CD8 T cells 9 PBMC MLR culture in which naive CD8 T cells or unseparated CD8 T responders were stimulated t monocyte-derived mature DC (8:1 der/DC ratio) or PBMC (1:1 responder/PBMC ratio), from the same allogeneic donor, in a medium containing IL-21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells were grown with IL-7 and IL-15 until day 7 without further activation. On day 7 of the culture, the different groups were evaluated for percentage of Tcm using FACS analysis and for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion.

Thus, unlike the mouse protocol in which irradiated splenocytes were sufficient for inducing expansion, in the human protocol, allogeneic monocyte derived mature DC are crucial for good expansion of Tcm cells and cannot be replaced by allogeneic PBMC. ng the optimal responder/DC ratio for the induction of Tcm phenotype and cell ion.

To define the optimal responder/DC ratio, a MLR system was used, as described above, except that different responder/DC ratios were tested. As can be seen in Figures 9A—B, when using 4 x 105 responders, an optimal ition of Tcm phenotype was ed upon addition of 50—100 x 103 DC, while expansion was optimal at the lowest DCs concentration. Further experiments at lower responder/DC ratios are examined.

Defining a final autologous protocol based exclusively on GMP grade reagents.

Upon establishment of a satisfactory autologous protocol for the generation of anti—3rd party Tcm, an experiment was carried out to develop an equivalent procedure based solely on GMP grade reagents currently available commercially so as enable testing of this approach in human patients.

Depletion ofadherent cells on plastic dishes.

Before optimizing the s of CD8 T cell ion, an ment was carried out to attain a significant initial enrichment by removal of plastic adherent cells present in PBMC. This process not only increases the tration of the desired CD8+ T cells but is also useful when processing cryopreserved human PBMC as opposed to fresh splenocytes used in the mouse model. This experiment revealed that overnight incubation with 10 % human serum and IL—7 allowed the thawed cells to recover before being subjected to the ic enrichment process (data not shown).

WO 35099 Enrichment of naive CD8 T cells Next, the focus was on adapting the enrichment of naive CD8 T cells to clinical grade reagents using as few antibodies as possible As shown in Figure 10, representing a typical experiment, the desired population of CD8 T cells represents 21 % of the cells on day 0 after depletion of adhered cells, while the other major "contaminating" subpopulations include CD4 T cells (61 %), B cells (7 %) and NK cells (7 %). Thus, the CD4 cells represent the largest contamination, and were previously shown to compete with CD8 T cells; these cells therefore had to be d. Likewise, it was important to remove NK cells that are known to expend in lL—15 cultures. In contrast, B cells tend to die under these culture ions. Thus, potential depletion with anti—CD4 and anti—CD56 magnetic beads was lly evaluated with and without depletion of CDl9+ B cells.

In addition, since in PBMC of patients with B cell malignancies, the levels of CD8 T cells are lower compared to healthy donors, a parallel tion was carried out examining the ility of omitting the enrichment of naive CD8 T cells by positive selection of + cells, as it r decreases the number of recovered CD8 T cells.

Thus, on day —l donor PBMC were first depleted from adherent cells by overnight incubation in greiner—bio—one CELLSTAR tissue culture plates (Greiner Bio— One Ltd., Stonehouse UK), specifically designed to remove adherent myeloid cells and on day 0 non—adherent cells were divided to four experimental groups, each subjected to a different magnetic sorting protocol. On days 0, 7, 10 and 14 of culture, cells were evaluated for cell composition and Tcm phenotype by FACS analysis and for expansion by counting live cells based on trypan blue exclusion.

As can be seen in Figure 10, minimal magnetic cell sorting using only D4 and anti—CD56 beads, decreased the percentage of CD4 T and NK cells from 61 % and 7 % to 12 % and l %, respectively, ing in enrichment of CD8 T cells from 23 % to 60 %. However, this ure was associated with enhancement of B cell levels from 7 % to 24 %. Adding anti—CD19 to the depletion cocktail completely depleted the B cells, resulting in improved enrichment of CD8 T cells (90 %). Adding a second step of positive enrichment of naive cells with D45RA increased the percent of naive cells (CD45RO—CD45RA+, gated on CD3+CD8+) from 53 % before magnetic sorting WO 35099 to 91 % in both groups. However, this step did not ly affect the final level of CD8 T cells, which increased from 60 % to 66 % when using anti—CD4 and anti—CD56, or from 90 % to 94 % when the ve selection step also included anti—CD19.

After the ic cell sorting, all four groups were primed with allogeneic dendritic cells in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days, and fter, the cells were expanded in an antigen free environment until day 14, in the presence of IL—21, IL—7, and IL—15. As a control group for non—expanded cells, naive CD8 T cells enriched by a depletion step using anti—CD4, anti—CD56, and anti—CD19, and a positive enrichment step using anti—CD45RA, were maintained in an antigen free environment in the presence of only IL—7 until day 14.

Interestingly, while on day 0, the groups d or untreated with anti—CD19 exhibited markedly different levels of CD8 T cells, this difference was abolished as early as day 7 (Figure 11), and also when tested on day 14 (Figure 12), likely due to selective death of B cells in the culture. Similarly, the positive selection of CD45RA+ cells after the initial CD8 T cell purification only marginally contributed to the final enrichment of CD8+ T cells with a Tcm phenotype. Thus, all four groups showed similar levels of the d cells with a minor advantage for the two groups also enriched for naive cells by anti CD45RA.

This initial result shown above in a typical experiment was r analyzed by comparing average results attained in the control group exposed to optimal cell isolation reagents ("CD4— CD56— CD19—, CD45RA+") to the other groups in which an attempt to eliminate the use of anti—CD19 or anti CD45RA was done.

Thus, the average percent of CD8 T cells (Figure 13A), and more importantly, the t Tcm (Figure 13B) in all the experimental groups when calculated as a percent of the level attained in the l control group were very similar.

In contrast, marked differences were found in the average expansion of each cell preparation when tested on day 10 of culture, ranging from 65.6 i 0.5 % to 105.2 i 6.8 % (Figure 14A). However, the differences in expansion capacity were counteracted by the reduced yield associated with the second purification step (Figure 14B).

As can be seen in Figure 14C, showing the final calculated yield of Tcm at day , the on of a second step of positive enrichment of naive cells with anti— CD45RA only decreased the final yield of Tcm cells, from 141 % to 123 %, when using initial ion with anti—CD4 and anti—CD56, or from 157 % to 100 %, when the negative selection step also included anti—CD19.

Collectively these results suggest that the protocol based on minimal use of reagents for the isolation of CD8 T cells, namely negative selection with anti—CD4 and anti—CD56, is satisfactory for clinical application in the autologous setting.

EXAMPLE 2 Large scale preparation ofhuman anti-3rdparty Tcm in plastic bags using GMP grade reagents To simulate the conditions anticipated when using patients own PBMC for the generation of gous Tcm, initially two large scale leukaphersis procedures were performed, from two normal donors, and a large number of clear cells were cryopreserved (divided into several batches). Each batch was used for one large scale experiment. In the first experiment, several technical problems were encountered including difficulty in the generation of DCs from the frozen bags according to the Wurzburg protocol and sourcing of a new GMP grade IL—15 for which the ical ty was unclear. These problems, which resulted in a very poor CD8 T cell ion (around 3 folds), were corrected in the subsequent experiments by using the presently described protocol for DCs (as described above) and by using the appropriate tration of IL—15 (i.e. 300 U/ml).

As can be seen in Figure 15, when PBMC of the same donor were ted in two large scale experiments against two different 3rd party DCs, similar CD8 T cell expansion was attained ranging from 26.8 to 31.0 folds at day 11. Considering that at this day the cells exhibited a linear growth it is likely that further expansion could be attained at later time points. However, this level of expansion is satisfactory as it allows potential administration of up to 3 x 107 cells per Kg body weight. Interestingly, while at day 0 it was found that the leukaphersis preparation was largely contaminated with CDl4+ monocytes and CD20 B cells, these cells disappear upon cell culture and the final cell composition at day 12 comprised 94 % and 98 % CD8+CD3+ T cells, respectively (Figures l6A—B) Irnportantly, Tcm phenotype attained in the two cultures against different DCs were within the range of the small scale experiments gh some variability ed (Figures l7A—B). Thus, while at day 5 in both experiments high level of Tcm phenotype (77 % and 71 %, respectively) was found, this level declined more significantly in the culture against the 2Ild DC donor upon the 9th day (65 % vs. 46 %) and day 12 ( 62 % vs. 35 %). This variability which was not observed significantly in the small scale experiments could be explained in part by a relative difficulty to remove the DCs on day , as they are less likely to adhere to the plastic bag compared to their adhesion to the plates used in the small scale experiments. Thus, the longer presence and stimulation with the DCs could lead to a more pronounced transition from a Tcm to a Teff phenotype.

EXAMPLE 3 GVL potential ofthe human rd party Tcm against an established cell line Considering that in the autologous setting the ial use of anti—3rd party Tcm is solely for eradicating residual tumor cells (in the allogeneic setting it also serves to enhance tment of the BM cells) it is important to develop a straightforward assay for cytotoxic capacity ex—vivo, which could be used for quality l prior to infusion of the Tcm to the patient. To that end, a TCR independent assay was used based on the demonstration by Lask et al. [Lask A et al., J Immunol. (2011) 187(4):2006—14] that a MHC mutated line not recognizable by TCR due to this mutation, can still be killed by anti—3rd party CTLs through their TCR independent killing mechanism. Clearly, if applicable also for human Tcm, such a killing modality could serve to distinguish the Tcm killing from that exhibited by NK cells.

To address this question, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was carried out with anti—3rd party Tcm targeting B—cell lymphoma and plasma cell leukemia cell lines and the percent apoptotic cells was measured after 22 hours. As can be seen in Figure 17C, enting a l experiment, marked GVL reactivity was ted by the Tcm.

In a different experiment, CD8 T cells were first ed by extensively depleting non CD8 T cells (i.e., CD4+ T cells, y/S T cells, B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, granulocytes, and erythroid cells) using magnetic bead sorting. As can be seen in Figure 18, representing a typical experiment, the percent of contaminating NK and NKT cells was very low (below 0.1 % for NK cells, and below 1.9 % for NKT cells) for all four groups tested.

The highly purified CD8 T cells were then ted with two types of cells: a) H.My ClR HLA—A2 K66A mutant cell line (K66A) to demonstrate TCR independent killing, and b) H.My ClR (Neo), a B—cell lymphoblastoid line lacking surface HLA A and B antigens and ore itive to killing by Tcm via a mechanism which requires interaction between the CD8 molecule on the Tcm and the a3 domain on MHC of the target ia cells.

As shown in Figures l9A—D, marked killing of the K66A mutated target cells compared to the MHC—I—deficient H.My ClR (Neo) cells was exhibited by anti—3rd party Tcm. Thus, human Tcm similarly to human anti—3rd party CTLs can kill B cell tumor cells through a TCR independent g mechanism, which, in st to NK mediated killing that requires MHC expression on the target cells.

Most importantly, when further analyzed by comparing average s attained in the control group exposed to optimal cell isolation reagents ("CD4— CD56— CDl9—, CD45RA+") to the other groups in which the use of anti—CD19 or anti CD45RA (Figures l9A—D) was reduced, showed that the percent TCR independent killing of the H.My ClR HLA—A2 K66A mutant cell line in all the experimental groups (calculated as a percent of the level attained in the optimal l group) was very similar (Figure ) (P>0.05 when comparing all three test groups to the reference control group).

Collectively, these results suggest that the GVL reactivity exhibited by cells isolated with a minimal use of reagents for the isolation of CD8 T cells, is not inferior to that associated with more extensive isolation protocols.

The killing of autologous B—CLL tumor cells by Tcm in—vivo are done, using a Hu/SCID model previously ed for the demonstration of such B—CLL killing by anti—3rd party CTLs.

EXAMPLE 4 Generation ofallogeneic human anti-3rd party Tcm cells Initiation of a new GMP grade approach to minimize risk of GVHD when using neic human anti-3rd party Tcm As previously demonstrated in a mouse model, anti—3rd party Tcm could be very useful for tolerance induction in allogeneic BMT [Ophir E. et al. Blood. (2010) llS(lO):2095—104]. In this case, naive CD8+ T cells originating from the allogeneic BM donor serve as responders, and 3rd party donor dendritic cells (DC) are used as stimulators to enable the generation of host non—reactive Tcm cells. In order to avoid GVHD, the 3rd party donor is selected so as to ensure that none of his HLA class I alleles are shared with the HLA class I alleles of the host.

Nonetheless, considering that human patients may be more prone to GVHD than inbred mice, clinical translation of this approach must be pursued with caution. onal allo—depleting steps, such as photo—depletion or selection of activated cells at the end of the anti—third party timulation period, might be required in order to further reduce the risk of GVHD.

Modifications ofthe autologous human protocol (for allogeneic protocol) As shown in Figures 21—22, the protocol for ting Tcm for the allogeneic setting differs from the protocol for the gous setting in two major steps: a) Selection of CD45RA+ cells following the isolation CD8 T cells.

Memory T—cells have lower activation threshold than naive T cells that can cause ecific cytokine—driven ion of the memory T—cell fraction. These cells may include clones that cross—react with host antigens, thus increasing the risk for GVHD induction. In order to minimize the effect caused by the difference in percentage of naive T cells between different human donors, and to reduce the risk for GVHD, naive CD8 T (CD45RA+CD8+) cells were used as the source for the generation of Tcm cells. b) Removal of ially host reactive T cells at the end of the e, by depletion of CDl37+ ted CD8 T cells.

Extension ofthe IL-7 and IL-15 deprivation period As described for the autologous cultures nabove), the present inventors have observed that naive CD8 T cells exposed to IL—7 and IL—lS erate in an antigen independent manner. On the other hand, naive CD8 T cells exposed to IL—2l in the absence of allogeneic stimulation did not proliferate, and did not even survive beyond day 7 of e. Therefore, delaying the addition of IL—7 and IL—lS from day 3 to day 7 could potentially lead to a selective depletion of ost clones not responsive to the 3rd party stimulators.

In order to define the optimal timing for the addition of cytokine vis—a—vis alloreactivity depletion, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the ce or absence of IL—2l for 7 days. Thereafter, the cells received no further activation and were expanded with IL—7 and IL—lS (Figure 23B), IL—lS and IL—21 (Figure 23C), or IL—lS alone (Figure 23D) until day 13; the resulting cell populations were compared to the naive CD8 T cells cultured according to the reference control group, expanded as described for the autologous setting (incubation on d (0—3) with IL2l and DC; on d(3—l3), addition of IL7+IL15 (Figure 23A).

Using the same sequence of cytokine addition as the reference control group but with different timing, , IL—2l addition was extended from 3 days to 7 days, and IL—7 and IL—lS were added on day 7 and not on day 3, hindered the expansion of the cells (Figure 24A) (proliferation only to 54 i 7 % of that ted by the reference control group). However, induction of central memory phenotype was similar (Figure 24B) (99 i 14.8 % of that exhibited by the reference control group).

As shown, removing IL—7 and ing the addition of IL—2l to the end of the culture, reduced expansion of the cells (Figure 24A) (60 i 13 % of the eration exhibited by the reference control group), as well as decreased central memory phenotype acquisition (82 i 6.8 % of the Tcm level exhibited by the reference control group, Figure 24B).

Priming of naive CD8 T cells using 7 days cytokine deprivation, followed by addition of only IL—lS from day 7 drastically reduced the expansion potential of the cells (only 5 i 1.3 % eration of that exhibited by the reference control group), and also decreased central memory ype acquisition (Figure 24B) (68 i 26 % of the Tcm level exhibited by the nce control group).

The most critical parameter, namely depletion of host reactive clones (tested with appropriate donors who are completely distinct in HLA Class I from the 3rd party cells used for stimulation) are examined. Further experiments to optimize the cytokine deprivation period are also carried out.

A two stage magnetic sorting approach for depletion of alloreactivity, based on the CD137 activation marker An elegant way to deplete anti—host clones based on the 3rd party concept may be achieved by a two stage magnetic sorting technique, comprising the following CD137 ion steps: a. Positive selection of anti—3rd party specific clones at the beginning of the culture. b. Depletion of anti—host specific clones near the end of the culture.

Recently, CD137 has been described to be a suitable marker for antigen—specific tion of human CD8+ T cells, as CD137 is not expressed on g CD8+ T cells and its expression is reliably induced after 24 hours of stimulation.

In order to evaluate this approach, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC in the presence of IL—2l. After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. CDl37+ cells were then re—stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC in the presence of IL—2l until day 3. Thereafter, the cells were ed with IL—7 and IL—lS until day 10 and, and were then activated with irradiated host PBMC in the ce of IL—7 and IL—lS.

After 24 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were depleted by magnetic g. The CD137 depleted cells were re—plated with IL—7 and IL—lS and cultured until day 14. On ed days, cells were ted for cell numbers by trypan blue exclusion and percentage of Tcm (CD62L+CD45RO+) within the CD8 T cell population using FACS analysis. Frequency of anti—3rd party and anti—host alloreactive cells was evaluated by CFSE assay against 3rd party or host irradiated PBMCs. These results were ed to those attained in the control group ated in the presence of IL—21 for 3 days and thereafter expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 rence control group").

Thus, as can be seen in Figure 25, while immediately after enrichment for naive CD8 T cells (day 0), only 0.7 % of the total CD8 T cells expressed CDl37+, upon activation against 3rd party DC in the presence of IL—21 for 14 h, the percentage of CD8 T cells expressing CDl37+ from the total CD8 T cell compartment increased to 8.3 % as opposed to 2.5 % in the e of DC ation. Magnetic sorting of this subpopulation of activated cells led to marked enrichment of CDl37+ cells (85 %, respectively) and the level of CD62L+ CD8 T cells in the total CD8 T cell compartment drastically decreased from 84 % to 14 % (data not shown).

As shown in Table 5, below, this positive selection was associated with reduced cell recovery. Thus, on day 0, the yield from PBMC depleted of adherent cells after enrichment for naive CD8 T cells was 7.6 % and on day 1, after the positive selection for CDl37+, the yield decreased to 0.25 % (3.3 % of 7.6 %). When evaluated on day 7 of culture, the test group of CD8 T cells ted to positive selection of CDl37+ cells highly resembled the nce control group in the percent of Tcm cells (67 % vs. 70 %, respectively), and this rity between the groups in percent Tcm was also maintained on day 10 of culture (54 % vs. 52 %, respectively) (Figure 26).

Table 5: Comparison of proliferation and final cell number \\sReference control \\(gjjoo/fm\m\7\6%)= m- Naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL-21 for 3 days. The cells ed no further activation thereafter and were expanded with IL-7 and IL-15 until day 14 (”Reference control group”). Alternatively, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 57:1 in the presence of IL-21. After 14 hours of activation, CDl37+ cells were positively selected by magnetic sorting. CDl37+ cells were then re-stimulated with irradiated neic 3rd party DC in at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL-21 until day 3. Thereafter, the cells were expanded with IL-7 and IL-15 until day 10. On day 10, were activated with irradiated host PBMC in the presence of IL-7 and IL-15 (at a ratio of 1 to 2). After 24 h, CD137+ cells were depleted by magnetic sorting. The CD137 depleted cells were re plated with IL-7 and IL-15 and cultured until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CD137+ and Anti host CD137-").

On the indicated days, cells were counted by trypan blue exclusion a = Yield after enrichment of naive CD8 T cells (Represented as percent of starting number of PBMC-adhered cells). b = Yield after activation with 3rd party DCs and enrichment of CD137+ CD8 T cells (Represented as percent of starting number of PBMC-adhered cells). c = Fold expansion from day 0 at day 13. d = Fold expansion from day 0 at day 14. e = Final cell number = (Yield) x (Fold Expansion from day 0) (Represented as percent of starting number of dhered cells).

Moreover, when cell composition (% CD8 T cells, % NK cells and % NKT cells) was evaluated on days 7 and 10 of e, the test group of CD8 T cells subjected to positive selection of CD137+ cells, highly resembled the reference control group in its cell composition (Table 6, below).

Table 6: Enrichment of anti-31rd party specific CD8 T cells by positive selection of CD137+ cells does not drastically change cell composition e erence con 1'0 . . . . roup anti-3rd party CD137+ group anti-3rd party Na'ive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of4.'1 in the presence of IL-21 for 3 days. Thereafter, the cells ed no further activation and were expanded with IL-7 and IL-15 until day 10 ( "Reference control group ”). Alternatively, naive CD8 T cells were stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 5. 7:1 in the ce of IL-21. After 14 hours of activation, CD137+ cells were vely ed by magnetic g. CD137+ cells were then re-stimulated with irradiated allogeneic 3rd party DC at a ratio of 4:1 in the presence of IL-21 until day 3. Thereaﬁer the cells were expanded with IL-7 and IL-15 until day 10. Cells were evaluatedfor cell composition by FACS analysis.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 27, the test group of CD8 T cells subjected to positive selection of CDl37+ cells, exhibited superior expansion potential in comparison to the reference control group at both time points (35 vs. 7 fold expansion from day 0 on day 7, respectively, and 119 vs. 34 fold expansion from day 0 on day 10, respectively). On day 10, the group of CD8 T cells subjected to positive selection of CDl37+ cells was divided into two test groups. In the first group, cells continued to be expanded with IL—7 and IL—15 until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CDl37+"), while cells in the second test group were activated with irradiated host PBMC in the presence of IL—7 and IL—15. After 24 h of activation CDl37+ cells were depleted by ic sorting. The CDl37 depleted cells were then re plated with IL—7 and IL—15 and cultured until day 14 ("Anti 3rd CDl37+ and Anti- host CDl37-").

When ted on day 13, CD8 T cells from the test group ted to positive selection of CDl37+ continued to exhibited superior expansion potential in ison to the reference control group at both time points (134 vs. 61 fold expansion, respectively). In contrast, CD8 T cells from the test group subjected to both rd party positive selection of CDl37+ and depletion of anti—host CDl37+ cells, ted lower expansion ial when evaluated on day 14 (72 fold expansion) (Figure 27) indicating that cell expansion between days 11 to 14 could not sate for the loss of cells caused by the depletion of CDl37+ anti—host ic alloreactive T cells.

As shown in Figure 28, when CD137 expression was evaluated on day 10, only 0.5 % of the total CD8 T cells compartment in the CD8 T cells subjected to positive selection of CDl37+ cells sed CDl37+. Thus, the CD8 T cells in this group down—regulated considerably the expression of CDl37 (from 85 % on day l to only 0.5 on day 10).

However, after 24 h of activation with irradiated host PBMC (at a l to 2 ratio, in favor of the host PBMC), the percent of CD8 T cells expressing CDl37+ from the total CD8 T cell compartment increased to 16 %. Depletion of these CDl37+ cells by magnetic sorting decreased the percent of CD8 T cells expressing CDl37 of the total CD8 T cell compartment, from 16 % to 3 %.

Final analysis of residual anti—host alloreactivity was performed on day 14, by comparing the level of CFSE retaining cells upon stimulation against host PBMC as opposed to 3rd party PBMC in the presence of IL—7.

As shown in Figure 29, the number of cells specifically dividing after stimulation with 3rd party PBMC was approximately 3 times higher in the group subjected to the CD137 based ve and negative selection compared to the reference control group (2259 vs.74l dividing cells, respectively). Most antly, the removal of CDl37+ cells towards the end of the culture, completely prevented proliferation in response to host PBMC, in contrast to the nce control group which exhibited detectable proliferation (l34 dividing cells). Interestingly, the group oing positive selection of cells activated against 3rd party without removal of anti—host clones at the end of the culture, ted higher level of host reactive cells compared to the control group, indicating potential cross reactivity between the MHC allotypes of host and 3rd party ators (although deliberately mis—matched by HLA .) Thus, while the importance of anti—host depletion step at the end of the culture is clearly indicated, further s are required to evaluate the potential role of the first positive selection of anti—3rd party ted cells.

However, as shown in Table 5, above, the sful depletion of anti—host specific clones by the two stage CD137 based magnetic sorting, affords on the whole lower cell recovery at the end of the culture (18 % vs. 463 %, ented as percent from input number of PBMC—adherent cells, respectively).

Collectively, this preliminary experiment indicates that depletion of alloreactivity by two—stage ic sorting, based on the CD137 activation marker, is feasible and might be incorporated into the present protocol for generating host non— reactive allogeneic Tcm cells. Encouraging attributes indicated are: l) the high expression levels induced by the allogeneic activation upon positive selection were completely down—regulated on day 10, allowing for another allo—activation against host antigens. 2) Cell composition and percent of Tcm cells were not drastically affected by the magnetic sorting, based on the CD137 tion marker. 3) The l of CDl37+ cells towards the end of the culture, tely prevented proliferation in response to host PBMC, in contrast to the reference control group, which exhibited detectable proliferation (134 dividing cells). Current studies include: 1) the use of FcR blocking before the positive selection step. 2) Using Host DC instead of PBMC for more effective detection of host reactive cells at the end of the culture. 3) Adding more WO 35099 clinically available activation markers like CD25 or IFN gamma capture to the depletion step. sions: The use of CD137 depletion at the end of Tcm generation might afford a feasible approach to further deplete these cells of alloreactivity.

Attempts to continue refining the use of CD137 depletion in conjunction with CD25 depletion, both of which are available as GMP reagents, are ed.

In addition, experiments are carried out to ze potential cross reactivity by using artificial APC bearing only one HLA—I .

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, cations and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such nce is available as prior art to the t invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of generating an isolated population of cells sing non-graft versus host (GVHD) inducing anti-third party cells having a central memory hocyte (Tcm) phenotype, said cells being tolerance-inducing cells and/or endowed with antidisease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) contacting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with a third party antigen or antigens in the ce of IL-21 so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; and (b) culturing said cells resulting from step (a) in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in an n free environment so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby ting the isolated population of cells.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising depleting non-adherent cells from said PBMC prior to step (a).

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells from said PBMC prior to step (a).

4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising selecting CD45RA+ and/or CD45RO- cells from said PBMC prior to step (a).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said PBMC comprise CD8+ T cells.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising culturing said cells resulting from step (a) with a third party antigen or ns in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL- 7 following step (a) and prior to step (b).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said third party antigen or antigens comprise dendritic cells.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said dendritic cells are irradiated dendritic cells.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said third party antigen or antigens is ed from the group consisting of third party cells, a cell antigen, a viral antigen, a bacterial n, a protein extract, a purified n and a synthetic peptide ted by autologous presenting cells, non-autologous presenting cells or on an artificial vehicle or on artificial antigen presenting cells.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said third party cells are stimulatory cells selected from the group consisting of cells purified from peripheral blood lymphocytes, spleen or lymph nodes, cytokine-mobilized PBLs, in vitro expanded antigen-presenting cells (APC), in vitro expanded dendritic cells and artificial antigen presenting cells.

11. A method of generating an isolated population of cells comprising non-graft versus host (GVHD) ng anti-third party cells having a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, said cells being tolerance-inducing cells and/or endowed with graftversus-leukemia (GVL) ty, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating non-adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting said CD8+ T cells with third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL-21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen ve cells; (c) ing said cells resulting from step (b) with said third party dendritic cells in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing said cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in an antigen free environment for 5-20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby ting the isolated population of cells.

12. A method of generating an ed population of cells sing non-graft versus host (GVHD) ng anti-third party cells having a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, said cells being endowed with anti-disease activity, and e of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, the method comprising: (a) treating non-adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with an agent capable of depleting CD4+ and/or CD56+ cells so as to obtain CD8+ T cells; (b) contacting said CD8+ T cells with non-syngeneic dendritic cells in the presence of IL-21 for 12 hours to 5 days so as to allow enrichment of antigen reactive cells; (c) culturing said cells resulting from step (b) with said non-syngeneic dendritic cells in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 for 12 hours to 3 days; and (d) culturing said cells resulting from step (c) in the presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in an antigen free environment for 5-20 days so as to allow proliferation of cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, thereby generating the isolated tion of cells.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising ing CD45RA+ and/or CD45RO- cells from said PBMC following step (a) and prior to step (b).

14. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein said CD8+ T cells comprise naïve CD8+ T cells.

15. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein said dendritic cells comprise in vitro expanded dendritic cells.

16. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein said dendritic cells comprise irradiated dendritic cells.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said contacting in said presence of IL-21 is effected for 12 hours to 5 days.

18. The method of claim 1, 11 or 12, wherein said contacting in said presence of IL-21 is ed for 2-3 days.

19. The method of claim 1, 11 or 12, wherein said ting in said presence of IL-21 is effected for 3 days.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising ing for activated cells following step (a) and prior to step (b).

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting for activated cells following step (b) and prior to step (c).

22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein said selecting for activated cells is ed by selection of CD137+ and/or CD25+ cells.

23. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein said selecting for activated cells is effected 12-72 hours after said contacting.

24. The method of claim 6, wherein said culturing with said third party antigen or antigens in said presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 is effected for 12 hours to 3 days.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said culturing in said presence of IL-21, IL- 15 and IL-7 in said antigen free environment is effected for 5-20 days.

26. The method of claim 1, 11 or 12, wherein said culturing in said presence of IL-21, IL-15 and IL-7 in said n free environment is effected for 7-11 days.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising depleting alloreactive cells following step (b).

28. The method of claim 11, r comprising depleting alloreactive cells following step (d).

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein said depleting said alloreactive cells is effected by depletion of CD137+ and/or CD25+ cells following contacting said cells comprising said central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) with host antigen presenting cells

30. The method of claim 1 or 12, wherein said peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are eic with respect to a subject.

31. The method of claim 1 or 11, wherein said peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are non-syngeneic with respect to a subject.

32. The method of claim 11 or 31, wherein said non-syngeneic PBMC are xenogeneic or allogeneic with respect to a subject.

33. The method of claim 1, 11 or 12, wherein said anti-third party cells having a T central memory phenotype comprises a CD3+, CD8+, , CD45RA-, CD45RO+ signature.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein at least 50 % of the isolated population of cells are CD3+CD8+ cells of which at least 50 % have said ure.

35. An isolated population of cells sing non-graft versus host (GVHD) inducing anti-third party cells having a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype, said cells being tolerance-inducing cells and/or endowed with anti-disease activity, and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation, generated according to the method of claims 1-34.

36. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of the ed population of cells of claim 35 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein the disease is ed from the group consisting of a malignant disease, a viral disease and an mune disease.

37. The use of claim 36, wherein said malignant disease comprises a leukemia or a lymphoma.

38. The use of claim 36, wherein said isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

39. The use of claim 36, wherein said isolated population of cells are nonsyngeneic with the subject.

40. Use of a cell or tissue transplant and a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated population of cells of claim 35 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject in need of a cell or tissue transplantation.

41. The use of claim 40, said treating further sing a sublethal, lethal or ethal conditioning protocol.

42. The use of claim 40, n said cell or tissue transplant is eic with the subject.

43. The use of claim 40, wherein said cell or tissue transplant is derived from a donor selected from the group consisting of an HLA identical allogeneic donor, an HLA non-identical allogeneic donor and a xenogeneic donor.

44. The use of claim 40, n said cell or tissue transplant comprises immature poietic cells.

45. The use of claim 40, wherein said cell or tissue transplant is selected from the group consisting of a liver, a as, a spleen, a kidney, a heart, a lung, a skin, an intestine and a lymphoid/hematopoietic tissue or organ.

46. The use of claim 40, n said cell or tissue transplant comprises a cotransplantation of several organs.

47. The use of claim 46, wherein said co-transplantation comprises transplantation of immature hematopoietic cells and a solid organ.

48. The use of claim 47, wherein said re hematopoietic cells and said solid organ or obtained from the same donor.

49. The use of claim 40, wherein said isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

50. The use of claim 40, wherein said isolated population of cells are nonsyngeneic with the subject.

51. The use of claim 40, wherein said cell or tissue transplant and said isolated population of cells are derived from the same donor.

52. The use of claim 40, wherein said cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the subject and said isolated population of cells are non-syngeneic with the subject.

53. The use of claim 40, wherein said cell or tissue transplant is syngeneic with the t and said isolated population of cells are syngeneic with the subject.

54. Use of immature hematopoietic cells and a therapeutically effective amount of the ed population of cells of claim 35 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject in need of an immature hematopoietic cell transplantation.

55. The use of claim 54, wherein said immature hematopoietic cells and said isolated population of cells are derived from the same donor.

56. The use of claim 55, wherein said donor is non-syngeneic with the subject.

57. The use of claim 54, wherein said immature hematopoietic cells and said isolated population of cells are derived from the subject.

58. The use of claim 54, said ng further sing a sublethal, lethal or supralethal conditioning protocol.

59. The use of claims 36, 40 or 54, wherein said subject is a human subject.

60. A method according to claim 1, substantially as herein bed or exemplified.

61. A method according to claim 11, substantially as herein described or exemplified.

62. A method according to claim 12, substantially as herein described or exemplified.

63. An isolated population of cells according to claim 35, substantially as herein described or exemplified.

64. A use according to claim 36, substantially as herein bed or exemplified.

65. A use ing to claim 40, substantially as herein described or exemplified.

66. A use according to claim 54, substantially as herein described or exemplified.