A novel approach for identification of highly potent pathogen specific human CD8 T cells from peripheral blood

Abstract Measuring frequency and quality of antigen-specific T cells serves as essential indicators for diagnostic prognostic outcomes the immune response. We have developed a novel assay allowing to measure individual within polyclonal population CD8 assembled into tight monolayer. The determines kinetics pattern Ca 2+mobilization in every cell. Those demonstrating rapid sustained 2+influx are highly potent capable rapidly destroy target cells. This has been confirmed by testing responses HIV-specific against variants HIV-derived peptide ILKEPVHGV that induce different potency. These data were consistent with comparison HCMV-specific from healthy donors people HCMV reactivation followed bone marrow transplantation. Vast majority cell adults revealed 2+response. HCMV-reactivation was associated large percentage oscillating while fraction showing 2+response very small. Our goal is isolate sequence their genes encoding TCR could be utilized engineering attack pathogens cancer Supported grants NIH (U01 AI148117)