Abstract:
A method of assessing a mycobacterial infection in a subject comprising; i. exposing at least one CDl molecule or analogue to mycolic acid or a mycolic acid analogue; ii. subsequently incubating the at least one CDl molecule or analogue with a sample comprising at least one T cell isolated from the subject; iii. measuring the T cell response and/or the number of mycolic acid specific T cells present in the T cell sample. The method can distinguish between active and latent tuberculosis infection and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention.
Abstract:
The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of celiac disease. In addition, the present invention provides materials and methods of monitoring the treatment of a subject having celiac disease.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an in vitro method for measuring the presence of an antigen indicative for the presence of an infectious agent, and preferably a medical condition or disease in a sample using an immune effector cell capable of producing an immune effector molecule following stimulation by an antigen.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and methods for detecting cellular products using detection particles having product-specific detection reagents and having a characteristic spectral feature. In particular, devices and methods are provided for measuring secreted cellular products including cytokines. Detection substrates, include microwells having product-specific capture reagents thereon or comprising hydrophobic membranes are described having greater capability to detect products from individual cells in a mixture of heterogeneous cells. With the use of multiple detection particles, multiple cellular products can be detected in a single well. Additionally, using the inherent spectral properties of detection particles, no enzymatic reactions are needed to visualize a secreted product, thereby increasing the sensitivity, reproducibility and ease of use.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and methods for detecting cellular products using detection particles having product-specific detection reagents and having a characteristic spectral feature. In particular, devices and methods are provided for measuring secreted cellular products including cytokines. Detection substrates, include microwells having product-specific capture reagents thereon or comprising hydrophobic membranes are described having greater capability to detect products from individual cells in a mixture of heterogeneous cells. With the use of multiple detection particles, multiple cellular products can be detected in a single well. Additionally, using the inherent spectral properties of detection particles, no enzymatic reactions are needed to visualize a secreted product, thereby increasing the sensitivity, reproducibility and ease of use.
Abstract:
Multiplexed test measurements are conducted using an assay module having a plurality of assay domains. In preferred embodiments, these measurements are conducted in assay modules having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to screening assays and methods for the identification of drugs, in particular those which inhibit or induce inflammatory or allergic responses. The identification method comprises mixing a test compound with IFN- gamma and determining whether the test compound has conjugated or interacted with IFN- gamma .
Abstract:
Here, we describe a sensitive and specific assay and kit for the detection of chemokines having activity that is upregulated by Th-1 cytolines (such IFN- gamma ) and chemokines that upregulate the activity of Th-1 cytolines (such as IFN- gamma . In a typical embodiment, detection of the chemokine monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) provides a measure of the biological effect of IFN- gamma rather than direct quantitation of IFN- gamma or IFN- gamma secreting cell per se. Upregulation of MIG expression was observed following in vitro activation of PBMC with defined CD8 T cell epitopes derived from influenza virus, CMV, or EBV, and in all cases this was antigen-specific, genetically restricted and dependent on both CD8 T cells and IFN- gamma . Responses as assessed by the MIG assay paralleled those detected by conventional IFN- gamma ELISPOT, but the magnitude of response and sensitivity of the MIG assay were superior. Our data validate this novel method for the detection of high as well as low levels of antigen-specific and genetically restricted IFN- gamma activity of MIG.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods that can be used for diagnosing whether an individual either has, or is likely to develop, an autoimmune disease. The methods are based upon determining the level of CD4 CD8 V alpha 24J alpha Q T cells present in the individual being tested or the pattern of cytokine secretion evidenced by these cells. In addition, the invention is directed to a therapeutic method for treating or preventing autoimmune disease which is based upon the specific expansion of the CD4 CD8 V alpha 24J alpha Q T cell population.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of determining if a subject has an increased risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) prior to the onset of any detectable symptoms thereof. The methods comprise analyzing at least one sample from the subject to determine a value of the subject's risk profile and comparing the value of the subject's risk profile with the value of a normal risk profile. A change in the value of the subject's risk profile, over or under normal values is indicative that the subject has an increased risk of having or developing symptoms associated with AKI prior to the onset of any detectable symptoms thereof.