Patent ID: 8551494

Claim:
A method for inducing apoptosis in an activated lymphocyte, comprising exposing said activated lymphocyte to an effective amount of a chimeric protein comprising: (i) an apoptosis-inducing moiety selected from the group consisting of Fas-ligand (FasL) and the extracellular portion thereof, tumor necrosis factor α(TNFα) and the extracellular portion thereof, TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and the extracellular portion thereof, and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and the extracellular portion thereof; and (ii) a member of a binding pair selected from the group consisting of avidin and streptavidin; wherein the chimeric protein is attached ex vivo to a biotinylated solid matrix or a biotinylated effector cell and wherein said exposing is effected ex vivo or in vivo.