Tetramer assay
Tetramer assay is a scientific method used in the field of immunology to quantify the number of T cells in a sample that are specific for a particular antigen. This technique is often used in research and clinical settings to monitor immune responses.
Overview[edit | edit source]
The tetramer assay is based on the principle that T cells recognize and bind to specific antigens presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. In this assay, MHC molecules are engineered to present a specific antigen and are then combined to form a tetramer, a complex of four MHC-antigen pairs. When a sample containing T cells is added, those T cells that are specific for the antigen will bind to the tetramer. The bound T cells can then be counted, providing a measure of the immune response to that antigen.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure for a tetramer assay involves several steps:
- Preparation of the tetramer: MHC molecules are engineered to present a specific antigen and are then combined to form a tetramer.
- Incubation with the sample: The tetramer is added to a sample containing T cells. Those T cells that are specific for the antigen will bind to the tetramer.
- Detection of bound T cells: The bound T cells are then detected and counted, usually using flow cytometry.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Tetramer assays have a wide range of applications in both research and clinical settings. They are often used to monitor immune responses in individuals with infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. They can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and immunotherapies.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While tetramer assays are a powerful tool for quantifying antigen-specific T cells, they do have some limitations. For example, they can only detect T cells that are specific for the antigen presented by the tetramer. Therefore, they may not provide a complete picture of the immune response if other antigens are also involved.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Tetramer assay Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
