Cell-based platform 'identifies antigens in autoimmune disorders'

German researchers have developed a cell-based platform which identifies antigens in autoimmune disorders.

The platform has been said to be able to identify the antigens responsible for triggering the activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer.

It uses an engineered T-cell line that carries T-cell receptor (TCR) molecules that are present on the patients’ own CD8+ T cells, which light up when bound to their activating peptide antigens. By incubating the cells with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with plasmid-encoded combinatorial peptide library, the fluorescence of individual T cells can be seen. This indicates that the cell has been activated by a peptide expressed on an APC to which it comes into contact.

The technique makes a significant step forward in that it can be applied for the unbiased identification of antigenic mimotopes. These are recognized by CD8+ T cells such as autoaggressive T cells in autoimmune diseases, tumor-infiltrating T cells in cancers, and antiviral and antibacterial T cells in infectious diseases.

Researchers from Ludwig Maximilians University, and Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology conclude: “This method is extremely sensitive because single cells serve as readouts, and several million library peptides can be examined within a few hours.”

Posted by Neil Clark