Melissa J Adams

US Patent:

20170096639, Apr 6, 2017

Filed:

Dec 19, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/383574

Inventors:

- Durham NC, US
Irina Tcherepanova - Durham NC, US
Melissa Adams - Durham NC, US
Mark Debenedette - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

C12N 5/0784

Abstract:

This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-αR) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7 mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g., mRNA or DNA), an agonistic antibody to CD40 receptor or by CD40 ligand polypeptide. The enriched populations can be further modified by the administration of an immunogen to the DC. The DC will take up and process the immunogen on its cell surface.

US Patent:

20170096640, Apr 6, 2017

Filed:

Dec 20, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/385559

Inventors:

- Durham NC, US
Irina Tcherepanova - Durham NC, US
Melissa Adams - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

C12N 5/0784

Abstract:

This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-αR) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7 mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g., mRNA or DNA), an agonistic antibody to CD40 receptor or by CD40 ligand polypeptide. The enriched populations can be further modified by the administration of an immunogen to the DC. The DC will take up and process the immunogen on its cell surface.

US Patent:

20160319374, Nov 3, 2016

Filed:

Dec 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

15/108771

Inventors:

- Franklin Lakes NJ, US
Charlotte Brown - Chapel Hill NC, US
Karen Lenz - Durham NC, US
Melissa Adams - Chapel Hill NC, US
Robert Swan - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68

Abstract:

Provided herein are compositions, methods, and kits for detection of nucleic acids. Some embodiments relate to detection of but not . Some embodiments relate to quantification of levels of