AK Dzutsev, IM Belyakov, DV Isakov, SJ Gagnon, DH Margulies, JA Berzofsky. (2008). " Estimation of low frequency antigen-presenting cells with a novel RELISPOT assay. " J Immunol Methods. 333, 71-8. PMID: 18294650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2008.01.008
Adequate presentation of self and foreign antigens is a key factor for efficient T-cell immunosurveillance against pathogens and tumors. Cells presenting foreign antigens usually comprise a rare population and are difficult to detect even at the peak of infection. Here we demonstrate a CD8(+) T-cell-based approach that allows detection of specific antigen-presenting cells (APC) at a frequency of less than 0.0005%. When T cells are in excess, they form rosettes with rare APCs, which appear as single spots in an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay. Using this RELISPOT (Rosette ELISPOT) method we demonstrate the dynamic interplay between CD8 T cells and professional and non-professional APCs following virus challenge.