Patent ID: 6040187
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for determining a suppressor component of a patient's immune status comprising:(a) preparing first and second suspensions comprising mononuclear cells of the patient;(b) cultivating the mononuclear cells of the first suspension with a suppressor activator consisting essentially of trophoblastic .beta.-1 glycoprotein (TBG) in an amount effective to induce activation of suppressors in the mononuclear cells of the first suspension;(c) cultivating the mononuclear cells of the second suspension without a suppressor activator;(d) blocking proliferation of the mononuclear cells in each of the first and second suspensions;(e) adding responder cells to each of the first and second suspensions in equal amounts so as to obtain respective first and second test cultures;(f) cultivating the first and second test cultures under conditions that cause the responder cells to proliferate; and(g) determining the suppressor component of the immune system of the patient by comparing respective proliferation of the responder cells in the first and second test cultures and assessing the suppressor component based on the extent, if any, that proliferation of the responder cells of the first test culture is lower than proliferation of the responder cells of the second test culture.