Patent ID: 7132243

Claim:
A process for clonally expanding CD4 + memory T cells of unknown specificity for particular antigens, which comprises the steps of: obtaining CD4 + memory T cells of unknown specificity for particular antigens, from a subject; co-culturing said CD4 + memory T cells of unknown specificity with (i) a combinatorial randomized peptide library, X19, consisting of peptides having a randomized amino acid sequence of nineteen naturally occurring amino acids other than cysteine wherein the combinatorial randomized peptide library, X19, peptides exhibit agonistic activity toward T cells, (ii) interleukin, wherein said interleukin comprises IL-2, a combination of IL-4, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15, or a combination of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15, (iii) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen-expressing cells with DNA synthesis being suspended, wherein said MHC class II antigen-expressing cells are also derived from the subject, and (iv) in the presence of anti-CD29 antibody having an agonist activity; so as to clonally expand said CD4 + memory T cells of unknown specificity for particular antigens.