Patent ID: 7169571
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting activation of lymphocytes comprising the steps of: a) incubating a sample containing a mixed population of cell types including a plurality of subsets of lymphocytes where each subset includes lymphocytes with characteristic determinants that distinguish one subset from another, with an inducing agent selected from the group consisting of mitogens and antigens; then b) separating a selected subset of lymphocytes from said sample by: c) lysing lymphocytes in said selected subset to release an activation-correlated intracellular component selected from the group consisting of ATP, NADP, and PCNA; then d) measuring a level of said activation-correlated intracellular component released from said lymphocytes and a level of said activation-correlated intracellular component in a control sample; and e) determining activation of lymphocytes for said selected subset of lymphocytes from said level of said activation-correlated intracellular component measured in said measuring step, wherein said lymphocytes are activated if said level of said activation-correlated intracellular component is compared to said level of said activation-correlated intracellular component in said control sample.