Immune Monitoring
Helping researchers address questions in cellular immunology
Monitoring cellular immune responses is a prerequisite for the development of cancer vaccines. Key objectives of immune monitoring include determining the efficacy of a vaccine to induce or augment a specific T cell response as well as the role that regulatory T cells (Tregs) - a small subset of suppressor cells - have on the development of T cell responses.
We offer a variety of tools and high-quality immune monitoring reagents and life sciences technologies designed to help researchers enhance their understanding of the immune system, from B and T cells to molecular pathways.
Human T-Cells
T cells are a diverse population of lymphocytes that work to structure appropriate cell-mediated immune responses. T cells are developed in the bone marrow and matured in the thymus where they undergo strict selection processes to confirm their recognition of foreign antigens. All T cells express either the alpha-beta heterodimeric T cell receptor (TCR) or the gamma-delta heterodimeric TCR. The TCR assigns antigen specificity and is essential for the role the T cell must play during the adaptive immune response.
The role of T cells must is broken down based on the phenotype and function of T cell subsets. There are several subsets each with a distinct function including the T helper, T cytolytic, T regulatory or gamma/delta T cells.
T regulatory cells are a subset of CD4 lymphocytes that are critical to maintain homeostasis. TREGS can affect immune cell homeostasis via several mechanisms including the production of cytokines and other secreted proteins, direct cell-mediated regulation and cytolytic activities.
Human B Cells
B cells mediate the creation of antibodies to bind specifically to foreign antigens including bacteria and microbial toxins. B cells, along with T cells, respond to harmful pathogens and establish immunological memory within an organism. These cells are characterized by their expression of clonally diverse cell surface markers (“cluster of differentiation” or CD marker) and secreted immunoglobulin B cell receptor (BCR) molecules.
B-cell development is initiated in the fetal liver and in the bone marrow in adults; however, subsequent functional maturation occurs in secondary lymphoid tissue. Early in development, the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) plays a pivotal role in assuring the continued maturation and survival of B cell progenitors.
