Congratulations to UF BME professor, Dr. Benjamin G. Keselowsky, and UF researchers Dr. Todd M. Brusko and Judit Cserny, on the patent issuance of their technology, “Materials and Methods for Modulating Immune Responses” by the University of Florida Office of Technology Licensing.
 
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) arises from a breakdown in immune intolerance, where a chronic autoimmune attack results in the loss of pancreatic β-cells. It is becoming increasingly apparent that T1D is associated with immune deficiency, rather than over-reactive immune responses.
 
Although T1D is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, current treatment regimes for T1D have achieved limited success. Immunomodulatory agents that transiently deplete T cells have only demonstrated temporary efficacy. Traditional vaccine strategies that involve administration of autoantigen alone have also failed to adequately block β-cells autoimmunity. Thus, improved treatment strategies that provide potent and long-term treatment effects are needed.
 
The patent provides improved adoptive T cell (Treg) therapies for prevention and/or treatment of immune and/or autoimmune disorders, via induction of immune tolerance in a subject, comprising:
a)    Nanoparticles made of bio-degradable material, wherein the nanoparticle encapsulates therein a Treg selective growth factor and antigen and/or autoantigen;
b)    A population of autologous or allogenic Treg cells; and optionally,
c)    One or more additional therapeutic agents of interest; wherein the Treg cells are surface-conjugated with the nanoparticles.
 
In certain specific embodiments, the nanoparticle-coupled tolerogenic Treg cell therapeutic compositions can be used in the prevention (such as delaying the onset of the disease), treatment and/or amelioration of autoimmune diseases including, but not limited to, T1D, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and oophoritis.