MHC-multimers and their application in studies of antiviral immune response
Karpenko, L.I.; Mechetina, L.V.; Reguzova, A.I.
Zhurnal Mikrobiologii Epidemiologii i Immunobiologii 2: 112-119
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0372-9311 PMID: 21598627 Document Number: 653548
Application of main histocompatibility complex tetrames (MHC-tetramers) for antigen specific T-cells detection and analysis coupled with flow cytometry opened new opportunities for T-cell response analysis. MHC-multimers allow the detection of T-cells against viral, cancer and vaccine antigens with exceptional sensitivity and specificity. This approach has become the "gold standard" for quantative analysis of T-cell immune response. Certain aspects of analysis using MHC-tetramer are examined, and importance of this approach in T-cell response efficacy evaluation in anti-HIV vaccine trials as well as in HIV positive patients are discussed.