A new era for T-cell immune function assays in transplantation

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Transplantation Science
• Clinical Assays

Background:

• Cellular assays are crucial for evaluating immune status before and after clinical transplantation.
• Early methods used bulk cultures, but advancements allow for multi-functional and single-cell analyses.
• The intracellular ATP synthesis assay is increasingly adopted in clinical transplantation testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications of cellular testing in clinical transplantation.
• To highlight the evolution of cellular assay techniques in transplant immunology.
• To discuss the role of donor-specific and non-specific testing in managing transplant complications.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and current cellular assay methodologies in transplantation.
• Focus on advancements enabling simultaneous multi-function and single-cell analysis.
• Inclusion of the intracellular ATP synthesis assay as a routine clinical tool.

Main Results:

• Modern cellular assays provide detailed insights into recipient immune status.
• Techniques allow for simultaneous assessment of multiple immune functions and cell subsets.
• The intracellular ATP synthesis assay is becoming a standard in clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Cellular testing is vital for monitoring immune status in clinical transplantation.
• Evolving assay techniques, including single-cell and ATP synthesis assays, enhance precision.
• These evaluations enable targeted interventions to mitigate transplant complications and improve outcomes.