[The evaluation of thymus function on the basis of circular DNA estimation technique]

The production of T-lymphocytes by thymus is an important indicator of functioning of immune system. The article discusses one of the actual techniques of evaluation of productive function of thymus i.e. qualitative analysis of intracellular circular DNA of T-cells of peripheral blood (TREC). The stages of adaptation of technique on the basis of nationally produced reagents and instruments. To assure the implementation of qualitative polymerase chain reaction a pair of primers with specific sequence of marker of recent thymus emigrants was selected. The optimization of temperature regimen of amplification was made. To ensure the transition to the qualitative analysis on the basis of polymerase chain reaction technic in real-time a fluorescent probe complementary to amplicone nucleotide sequence was developed. The following analytic characteristics of technique were established: sensitivity 4 ng/ml, reproducibility 1.8%. The valid discrepancy of TREC concentrations in patients of different age groups is demonstrated.