Evaluation of T cell function in allergic disease.

T lymphocytes play positive and negative roles in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. Isolation and functional characterization of T lymphocyte subpopulations is an important aspect of understanding allergy models and allergy therapies. Measurement of the T cell surface proteins and T cell proliferation can provide insight into T cell activation. T cell function and the identities of T cell subsets can be determined by measuring cytokine production, either via intracellular cytokine staining or ELISPOT. This chapter outlines protocols for T cell isolation as well as the evaluation of surface protein expression, proliferation, intracellular cytokine staining, and ELISPOT.