Means and methods to determine cellular avidity
OwnerSerena Alba DAVOLI, Mattijs DE GROOT +2inventors
InventorsSerena Alba DAVOLI, Mattijs DE GROOT, Marinus Theodorus Johannes VAN LOENHOUT, Trillian Ashley GREGG
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Abstract
The current invention relates to improved methods utilizing cellular avidity, said methods involving applying a force such that cell-cell bonds can be broken, and furthermore detecting the presence or absence of a marker associated with synapse formation in cells that remain bound thereafter. These methods are highly useful in determining cellular avidity and cellular avidity measurements.
Claims15
A method for providing effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse comprising the steps of:
- providing target cells;
- providing effector cells;
- contacting the target cells with the effector cells and allowing the cells to interact and form a synapse;
- applying a force such that aspecific cell-cell bonds are broken and synapses are retained;
- thereby providing cells substantially comprised of target cells, effector cells, and effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse;
- optionally, separating the effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse from the target cells and from the effector cells.
A method for providing effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse comprising the steps of:
- providing target cells;
- providing effector cells;
- contacting the target cells with the effector cells and allowing the cells to interact and form a synapse;
- applying a differential force in the range of 50 pN-10 nN that does not require attachment of target cells or effector cells;
- thereby providing cells substantially comprised of target cells, effector cells, and effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse;
- and
- optionally, separating the effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse from the target cells and from the effector cells.
A method for determining cellular avidity, comprising the further steps of:
- determining the number of effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse, and, optionally, the number of effector cells and/or target cells;
- and
- determine a cellular avidity score based on the number of effector cells bound with target cells via a synapse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.