Multiparametric Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Populations

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are the principal cells of the acquired immune response for defense against viral infections and tumors. The accurate analysis of such a functional effector population is critical to the elucidation of correlates of protection for diseases involving cellular immunity. Once standardized and validated, these assays can be routinely used as surrogate markers of efficacy in preventative and therapeutic strategies involving immune response. Multiparametric flow cytometry has enabled the accurate identification and evaluation of targeted lymphocyte subpopulations. In this poster, the functional capacity of effector T cells was evaluated using 5 color, 7 parameter flow cytometry by interrogating a combination of phenotypic and functional surface and intracellular markers.