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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes
Published on: October 30, 2016
Reference intervals for functional lymphocyte proliferation studies using 3H thymidine uptake in adults
Rohan Ameratunga1, Danny Lim2, Hilary Longhurst3
1Department of Clinical Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, 1010 Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
This study establishes reference intervals for 3H thymidine uptake assays, a key test for cellular immunity. These intervals aid in diagnosing immunodeficiencies and guiding treatment decisions for patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Functional cellular immunity tests are crucial in clinical settings.
- 3H thymidine uptake assays offer high sensitivity for assessing T cell responses.
- Assessing cellular immunity is vital for diagnosing immunodeficiencies and managing vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference intervals for 3H thymidine uptake assays.
- To provide benchmarks for evaluating functional cellular immunity in healthy adults.
- To support diagnostic laboratories in interpreting cellular immunity test results.
Main Methods:
- Reference intervals were calculated for over 250 healthy adults.
- Tests included responses to lectins, anti-CD3 (OKT3), and vaccine antigens (Candida, tetanus, diphtheria).
- Volunteer blood donors' samples served as controls for patient diagnostic tests.
Main Results:
- Control samples showed uniform response to PHA.
- Responses to other lectins, OKT3, and antigens were heterogeneous.
- Variability in toxoid responses correlated with donors' immunization status.
Conclusions:
- 3H thymidine uptake assays remain valuable due to sensitivity, despite non-radioactive alternatives.
- Reference intervals aid in diagnosing conditions like Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).
- Results inform clinical decisions regarding live attenuated viral vaccines and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
