US 2009/0155179 A1 · KINETIC BIOMARKER FOR QUANTIFICATION OF LYMPHOPROLIFERATION, CLONAL EXPANSION, RECRUITMENT AND TRAFFICKING IN LYMPHOID TISSUES AND OF THE IN VIVO ACTIONS OF ANTIGENS AND MODULATING THEREON

Abstract

The methods of the present invention allow for the measurement of proliferation, clonal expansion trafficking and/or recruitment of lymphocytes into lymphoid tissue in an in vivo setting. Proliferation, clonal expansion, recruitment and/or trafficking of lymphocytes are measured by using stable isotopes to label newly synthesized DNA, isolating the newly-labeled DNA, and quantifying enrichment of the isolated DNA with mass spectrometry or other appropriate techniques. Such methods are useful in screening candidate drugs for stimulatory or inhibitory effects on proliferation, clonal expansion, recruitment and/or trafficking of lymphocytes. The methods also allow for the discovery of therapeutic agents in disorders of immune regulation such as HIV infection and for optimizing vaccine efficacy.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for evaluating the effect of a candidate agent on a lymphocyte population of a test vertebrate system, said method comprising:

a) exposing a test vertebrate system to at least one candidate agent;
b) exposing said test vertebrate system to at least one antigen;
c) administering one or more isotope-labeled substrates to said test system for a period of time sufficient for said isotope-labeled substrates to enter into DNA during replication;
d) obtaining a first sample comprising first lymphocytes from said test vertebrate system;
e) quantifying the isotopic enrichment of said first lymphocytes from said first sample;
f) providing the isotopic enrichment of control lymphocytes from a control vertebrate system;
g) comparing the ratio of enrichment in said first lymphocytes to the ratio of enrichment of said control lymphocytes;
and
h) determining the effect of said agent on said first lymphocytes.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Kinetic biomarker for quantification of lymphoproliferation, clonal expansion, recruitment and trafficking in lymphoid tissues and of the in vivo actions of antigens and modulating thereon

Life of this patent

Kinetic biomarker for quantification of lymphoproliferation, clonal expansion, recruitment and trafficking in lymphoid tissues and of the in vivo actions of antigens and modulating thereon

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15