Quantitative flow cytometric analysis of membrane antigen expression.

Immunological analysis for cell antigens has been performed by flow cytometry in a qualitative fashion for over thirty years. During that time it has become increasingly apparent that quantitative measurements such as number of antigens per cell provide unique and useful information. This unit on quantitative flow cytometry (QFCM) describes the most commonly used protocols, both direct and indirect, and the major methods of analysis for the number of antibody binding sites on a cell or particle.

Enumeration of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes by single-platform, HLA tetramer-based flow cytometry: a European multicenter evaluation.

Background: HLA class I peptide tetramers represent powerful diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. The impetus for the current multicenter study is the critical need to standardize tetramer flow cytometry if it is to be implemented as a routine diagnostic assay. Hence, the European Working Group on Clinical Cell Analysis set out to develop and evaluate a single-platform tetramer-based method that used cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the antigenic model.

National external quality assessment scheme for lymphocyte immunophenotyping in Belgium.

In 2000, the Belgian Scientific Institute of Public Health introduced a voluntary external quality assessment scheme for lymphocyte immunophenotyping. This paper provides an analysis of the first six surveys. Specimens consisted of fresh EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood and were sent by overnight mail.