Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for polypeptide transfer into cells. The present invention further relates to the detection of polypeptide-specific immune cells and the priming, expansion and reactivation of polypeptide-specific T cells. Moreover the present invention relates to polypeptides of the methods of the present invention in combination with urea and their use for research, diagnosis or treatment and prevention of diseases in animals and humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detection, differentiation and quantification of T cell populations, comprising the following steps a) contacting a first aliquot of a body fluid of an individual with at least one antigen, wherein the body fluid contains antigen presenting cells (APC) and T cells, b) incubating the first aliquot with at least one antigen for a certain period of time, c) detection and differentiation of the T cell population by detecting in the first aliquot and in a second aliquot of the body fluid of the individual, which has not been incubated with the at least one antigen, at least a first marker of the APC induced by T cells in a specific T cell population using reverse transcription quantitative real time-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and d) detection and quantification of the T cell population by determining the ratio of the detected marker of the APC of the first aliquot to the second aliquot as well as a kit for performing the method.

Abstract: An in-vitro process for the quick determination of the infection status of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection from whole blood in terms of active or latent tuberculosis, comprising the steps of: stimulating an antigen-specific T cell that is present in a first sample of whole blood with purified protein derivative (PPD) in the presence of antibodies against CD28, or CD28 and CD49d; processing of PPD by antigen-presenting cells (APC) by incubating for 1.5 h to 2.5 h, especially for 2 h, at 35° C. to 39° C., especially at 37° C., optionally with adding CO2; then adding a secretion inhibitor; effecting an intensive mixing; and another incubation for a period of at least 2.5 h at a temperature of from 35° C. to 39° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for polypeptide transfer into cells. The present invention further relates to the detection of polypeptide-specific immune cells and the priming, expansion and reactivation of polypeptide-specific T cells. Moreover the present invention relates to polypeptides of the methods of the present invention in combination with urea and their use for research, diagnosis or treatment and prevention of diseases in animals and humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detection, differentiation and quantification of T cell populations, comprising the following steps a) contacting a first aliquot of a body fluid of an individual with at least one antigen, wherein the body fluid contains antigen presenting cells (APC) and T cells, b) incubating the first aliquot with at least one antigen for a certain period of time, c) detection and differentiation of the T cell population by detecting in the first aliquot and in a second aliquot of the body fluid of the individual, which has not been incubated with the at least one antigen, at least a first marker of the APC induced by T cells in a specific T cell population using reverse transcription quantitative real time-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and d) detection and quantification of the T cell population by determining the ratio of the detected marker of the APC of the first aliquot to the second aliquot as well as a kit for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for polypeptide transfer into cells. The present invention further relates to the detection of polypeptide-specific immune cells and the priming, expansion and reactivation of polypeptide-specific T cells. Moreover the present invention relates to polypeptides of the methods of the present invention in combination with urea and their use for research, diagnosis or treatment and prevention of diseases in animals and humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of epitope-specific T-cells and target epitopes of reactive T-cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vectors comprising a first promoter which is specifically inducible by the epitope-specific contact with a T-cell in antigen-presenting cells, a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to this first promoter and which encodes a marker gene, a second promoter which is constitutive in antigen-presenting cells, and a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to said second promoter. Furthermore, the present invention relates to antigen-presenting cells which are transduced with the vectors according to the invention.