Activation of antigen-specific T cells by artificial cell constructs having immobilized multimeric peptide-class I complexes and recombinant B7-Fc proteins

T cell activation results from the engagement of multiple receptors on T ce lls by their respective ligands on antigen presenting cells. Studies using artificial cell surface constructs have demonstrated that effective T cell response requires that antigen be presented on a solid surface with dimensi ons that approximate those of an intact cell, in this report, we describe t he cloning and expression of recombinant B7-1-Fc and B7-2-Fc proteins and t heir incorporation onto 5-mum latex microspheres along with renatured pepti de-MHC. These microspheres provide a simple and effective method for the in vitro or in vivo stimulation of antigen-specific T cells under precisely c ontrolled antigen and costimulation conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.