Abstract: A method of improving the viability, persistence, and/or vigor of a host plant in the form of Lolium multiflorum Lolium x hybridum and Lolium perenne, (host grass) includes artificially inoculating the host grass with an LpTG-3 endophyte RGT18 strain. The LpTG-3 endophyte RGT18 strain can produce at least one alkaloid or combination of alkaloids that provide the host grass with a favorable alkaloid profile and/or protect the plant from biotic stresses.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the state of the immune system, e.g. the state of activity and activation, respectively, of the immune system, using the determination of presence of a blood or peripheral mononuclear cell or plasma marker. The marker can be determined directly, e.g. by determination of its titre using a specific antibody against the marker, or indirectly, e.g. by the determination of the mRNA encoding the marker. Further, the invention relates to the use of the protein corresponding to the marker analysed in the analytical method, as a medicament, especially for influencing, e.g. for activating the immune system, more specifically for activating the cytotoxicity of NK cells as well as for activating the cytotoxicity and the proliferation of T-cells.