Patent ID: 7022483

Claim:
A method of identifying a T cell specific for an antigen of interest, comprising: a) contacting a biological sample containing T cells specific for an antigen of interest with an artificial antigen presenting cell that presents a peptide derived from the antigen of interest in order to form a complex comprised of a T cell specific for the antigen of interest and an artificial antigen presenting cell that presents the peptide derived from the antigen of interest, wherein the artificial antigen presenting cell comprises: i. a liposome comprising a lipid bilayer, wherein the lipid bilayer is comprised of neutral phospholipids and cholesterol; ii. at least one GM-1 ganglioside molecule disposed in the lipid bilayer; iii. a cholera toxin β subunit bound to one of the GM-1 ganglioside molecules; iv. an MHC molecule loaded with the peptide derived from the antigen of interest, wherein the antigen-loaded MHC molecule is bound to the cholera toxin β subunit; and v. an accessory molecule that can stabilize an interaction between a T cell receptor and the antigen-loaded MHC molecule; and b) detecting the complex, if formed, thereby identifying a T cell specific for the antigen of interest.