Enrichment and detection of live antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells based on cytokine secretion

Following appropriate antigen-specific stimulation, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lym phocytes rapidly express cytokines. Based on this stimulation-induced cytok ine secretion and using cell suface affinity matrix technology we have deve loped a new method that permits specific, rapid and efficient detection, is olation and characterization of live antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T l ymphocytes. The power of this technique is demonstrated here for HLA-A0201- restricted influenza matrix protein peptide 58-66-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes, influenza A virus- and recombinant tetanus toxin C fragment -specific Th1 cells and tetanus toroid-specific Th2 cells.