Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying specific immune cells, in particular MDSCs, comprising analyzing a modification, preferably the methylation status, of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for endoplasmatic reticulum-golgi intermediate compartment 1 (ERGIC1), wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation or modification of said gene region is indicative for an MDSC, when compared to a non-MDSC. The analyses according to the invention can identify specific sub-populations of MDSCs, namely monocytic MDSCs (m MDSCs) on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying m MDSCs, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying CD56+ NK cells, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for mevalonate (diphospho) decarboxylase (MVD), wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation of said gene region is indicative for a CD56+ NK cell, when compared to a non-CD56+ NK cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify CD56+ NK cells on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying CD56+ NK cells, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying monocytes, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (PARK2), wherein a de-methylation or lack of methylation of said gene region is indicative for a monocyte, when compared to a non-monocyte cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify monocytes on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying monocytes, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue. Also claimed are kits and specific oligonucleotides for use as primers or probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying basophil granulocytes, comprising analyzing a modification such as for example the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for the gene “mutated in colorectal cancer” (MCC), wherein a demethylation or lack of modification or methylation of said gene region is indicative for a basophil granulocyte, when compared to a non-basophil granulocyte, or any other cell type in the peripheral blood or in other tissues. The analyses according to the invention can identify basophil granulocytes on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying basophil granulocytes, in particular in complex samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying follicular helper T cells, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), wherein a demethylation of said gene region is indicative for a follicular helper T cell, when compared to a non-follicular helper T cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify follicular helper T cells on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying follicular helper T cells in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying non-classical monocytes, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian genomic region comprising an amplicon, wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation of said region is indicative for a non-classical monocyte, when compared to a classical monocyte or a non-monocyte cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify non-classical monocytes on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying non-classical monocytes, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying specific immune cells, in particular naïve CD8+ T-cells, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for endosialin (CD248), wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation of said gene region is indicative for a naïve CD8+ T-cell, when compared to a non-naïve CD8+ T-cell or any other (blood) cell type. The analyses according to the invention can identify naïve CD8+ T-cells on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying naïve CD8+ T-cells, in particular in com naïve CD8+ T-cells complex samples. The method can be performed with or without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying B cells, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation of said gene region is indicative for a B cell, when compared to a non-B cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify B cells on an epi-genetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying B cells, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue. Further claimed are kits and specific primers and probes for identifying methylation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying PD1+ cells, comprising analyzing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the mammalian gene region for Programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1), wherein a demethylation or lack of methylation of said gene region is indicative for a PD1+ cell, when compared to a non-PD1+ cell. The analyses according to the invention can identify PD1+ cells on an epigenetic level and distinguish them from all other cells in complex samples, such as, for example, other blood or immune cells. The present invention furthermore provides an improved method for quantifying PD1+ cells, in particular in complex samples. The method can be performed without a step of purifying and/or enriching cells, preferably in whole blood and/or non-trypsinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for epigenetic blood and immune cell counting, and respective uses and kits.