A systems approach to the characterization and classification of T-cell

35 Types of T-cell responses are categorized on the basis of a limited number of molecular 36 markers selected using a priori knowledge about T-cell immunobiology. We sought to 37 develop a novel systems-based approach for the creation of an unbiased framework 38 enabling assessment of antigenic-peptide specific T-cell responses in vitro. A meta39 analysis of transcriptome data from PBMCs stimulated with a wide range of peptides 40 identified patterns of gene regulation that provided an unbiased classification of types of 41 antigen-specific responses. Further analysis yielded new insight about the molecular 42 processes engaged following antigenic stimulation. This led for instance to the 43 identification of transcription factors not previously studied in the context of T-cell 44 differentiation. Taken together this profiling approach can serve as a basis for the 45 unbiased characterization of antigen-specific responses and as a foundation for the 46 development of novel systems-based immune profiling assays. 47