This second generation product is the first of its kind to combine five copies of MHC-peptides in a single probe for detecting killer T cells, thus offering enhanced sensitivity
ProImmune, a provider of research reagents and services for monitoring the state of the immune system, has launched its new product range - Pro5 MHC (major histocompatibility complex) pentamers - at the annual congress of the British Society of Immunology in Harrogate this week.
This second generation product is the first of its kind to combine five copies of MHC-peptides in a single probe for detecting killer T cells, thus offering enhanced sensitivity.
MHC-peptide complexes are used to detect and separate T cells from blood samples, according to the specific antigens that they recognise.
This enables precise and quantitative tracking of specific populations of T cells during disease progression.
Applications include research in the areas of cancer, infections or complications associated with transplantation, as well as monitoring the response to therapies such as new drugs and vaccines.
The enhanced binding and superior sensitivity of Pro5 over current state-of-the-art tetramer MHC-peptide probes also enables detecting low affinity T cells facilitating a more accurate monitoring of the immune system.
The new product can be labelled with a range of different fluorescent molecules enabling simultaneous detection of different T cell populations and/or a range of other immune modulators, ie interferon gamma and cytokines, providing a detailed picture of the immune system.
In contrast to MHC tetramers, Pro5 can be stored frozen allowing for a significantly longer shelf life than MHC tetramers.
ProImmune offers custom synthesis MHC reagents at no extra cost to support research into new disease targets. Jeremy Fry, director of sales at ProImmune, commented: "The significant advantages that MHC pentamer reagents offer make them the premier product for T cell detection.
"The product is compatible in all applications to existing MHC tetramers. "As part of the product launch we are offering customers a 20% discount off list price until the end of February 2004." ProImmune currently has an extensive customer base throughout Europe, Australia and Asia.
Pro5 is the first product to be launched globally and will be marketed worldwide, including the USA.
