Antigen-specific T-cell responses are an indicator for understanding, detecting, and monitoring the complex tumor-immune cell interactions. In order to determine the state and capability of the immune system, Creative Biolabs provides a series of assays to quantify and characterize antigen-specific T-cell responses. Our specialized team can ensure you get the reliable data you need to move your project forward quickly.
Measurement of antigen-specific T-cell responses is an important parameter to evaluate cancer therapies or vaccination. In cancer, tumor-specific T cells are involved in effective anti-tumor immunity. Antigen-specific T cells are also crucial for the formation of immunological memory (e.g. after vaccination) or for the maintenance of tolerance to self-antigens. T cells become activated upon antigen recognition and respond with proliferation and differentiation. Depending on the pathogen and the location, CD4+T cells will differentiate into one of the various Th cells, whereas CD8+T cells will become CTL. All of these cells will express different cytokines, leading to the control of the infection.
Fig.1 The contribution of T cells in anti-tumor response. (Kast, et al., 2021)
Assessment of functional antigen-specific T-cell responses currently relies on techniques centered around defined target antigens including well-characterized antigens and exogenous surrogate antigens. Creative Biolabs offers various assays to assess the level of antigen-specific T-cell responses after antigen-specific stimulation.
T cell proliferation assays can measure the ability of T cells (both CD4 and CD8) to proliferate in response to specific antigens. We are capable of performing T-cell proliferation assays using different techniques. The most reliable assays measure proliferation by directly measuring DNA synthesis, such as tritium-labeled thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation assay. An alternative experimental approach is to label cells in culture with a fluorescent marker, such as carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE), which is diluted in each generation of daughter cells as they divide, and can be measured by flow cytometry.
Antigen-specific T cell response may be detected and quantified after antigen-specific stimulation based on the induction of cytokines as a readout system. We develop and customize assays to detect specific groups of cytokines of interest, using the most appropriate approach-including cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), the T-cell enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and cytokine bead assays (CBA).
Tumor antigen-specific T cells exhibit cytotoxic activity against tumor cells during the antitumor immune response. Cytolytic activity is the major function of CD8+ T cells and several assays are used to measure efficacy. We provide various in vitro cytotoxicity assays including chromium release, bioluminescence, LDH Assay, and flow cytometry.
MHC tetramer assay allows rapid and simple detection and quantification of antigen-specific T cells. It has become an essential tool for measuring T-cell responses and immune monitoring. Antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+T cells using fluorochrome-conjugated p-MHCI and p-MHCII tetramer staining, respectively, have dramatically increased our understanding of the cellular immune response. This assay can provide information about the phenotypes of antigen-specific T cells, label and isolate T cells, and even determine the spatial and temporal location and abundance of antigen-specific T cell responses in tissues. We offer comprehensive MHC tetramer assays and a customized portfolio for combined tetramer & functional assays.
By leveraging our resources, expertise, and fully customizable study designs, you get the data you need to advance your project. To build a project, get a quote, or order a service, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
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