Tissue T Cell Detection via Fluorescent CD45 Staining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are inadequate for determining the antigen specificity of T cells infiltrating tissues, especially when dealing with small cell numbers, as they fail to accurately detect and quantify antigen-specific T cells in tissue samples.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the simultaneous stimulation of isolated tissue cells with whole blood from the same person, using a fluorochrome-coupled CD45 antibody to differentiate between tissue and blood T cells, and analyzing cytokine induction via flow cytometry for improved detection and characterization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional stimulation methods are used on isolated T cells from tissue, then the stimulation process can be performed, but the detection sensitivity and signal strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidstimulation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines tissue T cells with whole blood from the same individual to create a mixed cell population for stimulation. This merging provides endogenous antigen-presenting cells and cytokines that enhance the stimulation signal, thereby improving detection sensitivity without requiring additional external components or complex stimulation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The method uses the individual's own whole blood to provide antigen-presenting cells and cytokines necessary for T cell stimulation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for exogenous addition of complex antigen-presenting cell preparations or cytokine cocktails, simplifying the stimulation system while enhancing detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If tissue T cells are stained with fluorochrome-coupled CD45 antibody before mixing with blood cells, then tissue and blood T cells can be discriminated, but the procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell discrimination accuracyVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fluorochrome-coupled CD45 antibody staining specifically to tissue T cells before mixing with whole blood cells. This localized staining creates a distinct fluorescent marker on tissue-derived T cells, enabling precise discrimination between tissue and blood T cell populations during flow cytometric analysis without requiring complex procedural modifications elsewhere in the workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If whole blood is used for simultaneous stimulation of tissue and blood T cells, then the physiological milieu is optimized, but the ability to separately analyze tissue T cell response is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological relevanceVSAvoidtissue T cell signal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fluorochrome-coupled CD45 antibody staining that creates a fluorescent signal difference between tissue T cells (positive for tissue marker) and blood T cells (negative for tissue marker). This color/fluorescence change enables simultaneous stimulation in a physiological whole blood milieu while maintaining the ability to separately identify and quantify tissue T cell responses through flow cytometric detection of the fluorescent marker.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables a more sensitive and quantitative analysis of antigen-specific T cells, facilitating diagnostic applications in infections, autoimmune diseases, and tumor diseases by allowing simultaneous quantification and analysis of tissue and blood T cells, enhancing prognostic assessment and treatment monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

The special feature of the new analysis method is that the cells isolated from tissue are stained with a fluorochrome-coupled CD45 antibody before they are mixed with the blood cells. As a result, in the final analysis, T cells from the blood and T cells from the tissue can be discriminated based on the absence or presence of this fluorescence signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

The antigen-specific cells are quantified using flow cytometry based on the specific cytokine induction of T lymphocytes after stimulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow cytometry detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3268742B1Method for the improved detection of antigen-specific, tissue-infiltrating immune cells
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 GENOME IDENTIFICATION DIAGNOSTICS

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the improved detection of antigen-specific, tissue-infiltrating immune cells, wherein the cells isolated from tissue are marked by means of a fluorochrome-coupled antibody, which is directed against antigens expressed on the cells, or by means of fluorochromes which are suitable for the coloring of living cells before they are mixed with heparinized whole blood.