Immunosuppression Assays

In the rapidly advancing fields of immunology and immunotherapy, understanding immune-suppression mechanisms is important for developing treatments for autoimmune disease, cancer and chronic infection. Immunosuppression assays help evaluate how regulatory cells, drugs and other immunomodulatory agents influence immune responses. Our services include Global T Cell Suppression, Treg-Mediated Suppression and T Cell Exhaustion Assays.

Global T Cell Suppression Assay

Our Global T Cell Suppression Assay evaluates the inhibitory effects of immunosuppressive agents on primary human T-cell function. The assay supports research into immunotherapy, autoimmune disease and transplant tolerance.

Key Suppressive Agents: We assess the effects of adenosine, PGE2 and TGF-β, which each contribute to modulation of immune responses.

Assessment of IL-2 Release: For adenosine and PGE2, ELISA is used to quantify IL-2, a cytokine associated with T-cell proliferation and activation.

TGF-β Suppression: CellTiter-Glo is used to measure cell viability and metabolic activity, providing a complementary readout of TGF-β-mediated suppression of T-cell proliferation and cellular health.

Treg-Mediated Suppression Assay

Our Treg-Mediated Suppression Assay evaluates the ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to suppress proliferation of effector T cells (Teff), supporting studies of immune balance, autoimmune disease, cancer and transplant rejection.

Naïve CD4+ T cells are isolated from human PBMCs and induced to become inducible Tregs (iTregs). The iTregs are then co-cultured with Teff cells at defined ratios, and Teff proliferation is tracked by flow cytometry to characterize suppressive capacity.

This assay can be used to assess the effects of potential therapeutic compounds on Treg function and support development of immunotherapies.

T Cell Exhaustion Assay

Our T Cell Exhaustion Assay evaluates the functional status of exhausted T cells, which are frequently observed in chronic infections and cancer. The assay models prolonged activation and supports assessment of therapies intended to restore T-cell function.

IFN-γ Release: Using an MLR assay with exhausted T cells and dendritic cells, IFN-γ release is measured by ELISA to evaluate the diminished effector function associated with exhaustion.

PD-1/PD-L1 Expression: PD-1 and PD-L1 expression levels are monitored over time to track the increase in inhibitory receptors associated with progressive T-cell exhaustion.

IL-2 Release: IL-2 release is measured at multiple time points to assess declining proliferative capacity and the potential for functional recovery.

The assay supports evaluation of checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies intended to reverse T-cell exhaustion in oncology and chronic disease research.