title: TNF-alpha detection using a flow cytometric assay to determine cellular responses to anthrax vaccine.
abstract: This study describes a four-color flow cytometric assay that detects CD4+ T cell responses to the anthrax vaccine. Whole blood from seven volunteers who previously obtained the anthrax vaccine was inoculated in vitro with varying concentrations of the anthrax antigen. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production from memory CD4+ T cells were measured and compared to a control group who never received the anthrax vaccine. The optimal antigen concentration for TNF-alpha was determined to be around 7.5 microg/ml and IFN-gamma production was not detected. This assay will be used in future larger prospective studies to further evaluate the cellular immune responses induced by the anthrax vaccine.
authors: Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA. hshinn@uop.edu
authors: Annie H
authors: AH
authors: Shinn
authors: Normita C
authors: NC
authors: Bravo
authors: Holden T
authors: HT
authors: Maecker
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma