Patent ID: 7521197

Claim:
A method for expanding cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognizing a designated HLA class I-peptide combination comprising: (a) attaching to antigen presenting cells (APCs), in a sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), a complex, wherein the complex comprises an HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof having a peptide binding groove, a recognition peptide, and attachment means comprising a linking polypeptide with high specific affinity for an antigen presenting cell specific molecule on the surface of the antigen presenting cell for selectively attaching said HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof to the APC, and wherein the said HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof is bound or is attached to a recognition peptide in the peptide binding groove of the HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof, and is arranged to be presented by said HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof for T cell recognition, and the HLA class I molecule or fragment thereof comprises a T cell binding portion, and the attaching comprises the steps of: (i) introducing onto the surface of the APC the attachment means; followed by, (ii) introducing onto the surface of the APC said the class I HLA molecule or fragment thereof and a recognition peptide; (b) optionally removing excess attachment means or class I HLA molecule or fragment thereof and recognition peptide; and (c) optionally incubating with one or more proliferative cytokines; whereby said cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a population of peripheral blood lymphocytes are expanded.