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Conversion
of a more committed cell into an undifferentiated cell
An more committed cell is
converted to a differentiated cell by treatment with an
agent, preferably cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a CD4 or
CD8 molecule, at least part of a T-cell receptor, a
polypeptide, or an antibody (monoclonal, polyclonal or
cross-reactive), which agent may be attached to the more
committed cell. The undifferentiated cell may be an MHC
Class I+ and/or II+ cell, a CD34+ cell, a
lymphohaematopoietic progenitor cell, a pluripotent stem
cell, or a cell comprising a stem cell antigen. The agent
may act extracellularly of the more committed cell,
preferably on a cell surface receptor, which may comprise an
alpha- and/or beta- component, preferably comprising
homologous regions of HLA-DR. The agent may modify MHC gene
expression. The agent may be used in conjunction with a
biological response modifier, preferably and alkylating
agent, especially cyclophosphoamide. The more committed cell
may be a B-cell or a T-cell. The undifferentiated cell may
be transformed into a recommitted cell, preferably a B-cell,
a T-cell or a granulocyte. There is also described a
CD19+/CD3+ cell. The undifferentiated, or recommitted, cells
may be used as pharmaceuticals, especially for the treatment
of immunological disorders, cancer, blood disorders,
cellular or tissue regeneration, or congenital metabolic
disorders. |
