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Ann Clin Trials Vaccines Res. 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 2
allied
academies
Global Vaccines & Vaccination Summit & B2B
November 01-02, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
A
n increasing number of new vaccines aim to elicit a
response from the cellular components of the immune
system, in addition to the classical establishment of an
antibody-based immunity. T cell immunity is critically involved
in combating infections and cancer, and plays a pathogenic role
in autoimmune diseases and allergies. Therefore, monitoring
antigen-specific T cells and their effector functions is crucial for
the understanding of these diseases and for proper assessments
of the efficacy of specific immune therapies such as vaccines
in preclinical and clinical trials. Yet, unlike the detection of
antibodies, reliable measurement of T cell-mediated immunity
has remained a major challenge, due to several factors. One
such factor is that the antigen-specific T cells of interest typically
occur at very low frequencies in test samples, such as peripheral
blood. Another factor is that for the reliable measurement of
T cell function(s) it is necessary that the test conditions don’t
change the functionality of T cells in vitro as compared to the
one invivo. Themany variables that canaffect T cell functionality
have earned T cell assays the reputation of being rather fragile,
with even minor changes of test conditions potentially having
a major impact on the test results. A major breakthrough
in the field of T cell monitoring has been the introduction of
protocols that facilitate cryopreservation of PBMC such that,
upon thawing, the cells retain their full functionality. This has
enabled the generation of “reference PBMC” as ideal tools for
assay development and standardization. Examples of successful
T cell monitoring using the ELISPOT assay will be presented.
Speaker Biography
Magdalena Tary-Lehmann is a Co-Founding Scientist and Chief Scientific Officer for
Cellular Technology Limited (CTL) and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Case Western
Reserve University (CASE) Department of Pathology. She has published more than
75 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She provides guidance and oversees technical
operations of the performance of immunology assays in CTL’s GLP- and CLIA compliant
contract laboratory for various pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, ensuring the
ongoing scientific excellence of CTL. Over the past decade, she has worked with clients
and regulatory agencies to develop and validate reference samples and controls for use
in regulated immune monitoring assays.
e:
magda.tary-lehmann@immunospot.comMagdalena Tary-Lehmann
Cellular Technology Limited, USA
Feasibility of monitoring cell mediated immunity during vaccine trials