IMMUNOLOGY SERVICES

Immuno-oncology is a most exciting new development in cancer research and has emerged as a compelling area of personalized medicine with its tremendous potential to harness our powerful immune system to target and destroy cancer cells with few side effects. Researchers are exploring the complex relationship between tumor and the immune system within the tumor microenvironment in order to discover new immuno-oncology targets and therapies. A deep understanding of these targets is the key to unlocking the next blockbuster immunotherapy, kickstarting our immunity to fight cancer. Our immuno-oncology solutions span the entire drug discovery workflow, from drug screening, pre-clinical efficacy, to evaluation of human tumor samples from clinical trials. Our immune cell function assays, along with our immunoassays, are the perfect fit for these researches and developments, providing a broad range of highly reproducible, sensitive solutions for high-throughput screening, biomarker validation and efficacy studies. 

• T cell activation and proliferation (MLR, anti-CD3/CD28; PHA/Con A, PMA/ionomycin, SEB, anti-PD1, anti-CTLA4) via high throughput Flow Cytometry, or BrdU assay
• Antigen-specific recall response assay
• Target expression profiling on cell subsets (resting and activated)
• Screening for the ability to reverse T cell exhaustion
• Suppression assay with regulatory T cells (Treg).
• Modulation of differentiation and cytokine profile ( from CD4+ to Th1,  Th2, Th17, and Treg cells)
• T cell migration and chemotaxis assay
• mixed lymphocyte reaction (PBMC/T cell/DC, one way or two-way)
• immune checkpoint blockade assay
• Cytokine secretion profile (ELISA, Luminex, ELISpot)
• T Cell Surface marker expression analysis (Flow cytometry)

• NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that function as both cytotoxic effectors and regulators of immune responses. NK cells express a large number of receptors that deliver either activating or inhibitory signals, and the balance of these signals controls NK cell activity. NK cells are activated following the detection of abnormalities in target cells such as the loss of MHC class I expression or up-regulation of stress-induced ligands that occurs in response to infection or malignant transformation. Their activation triggers perforin/granzyme-induced target cell lysis and cytokine production including IFN-g and TNF-a. Their ability to specifically attack and eliminate stressed cells, while maintaining tolerance to healthy cells has led to the compelling suggestion that NK cells may have therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agents. 
• Target expression on NK cells
• Modulation of activation and killing (CD69, CD25 expression, Fas ligand, granzyme secretion)
• Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)

• Monocytes are agranular leukocytes that originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. They circulate in the peripheral blood and are recruited to tissues following injury or infection. Once in the tissue, monocytes differentiate into inflammatory macrophages, which play a role in initiating the pro-inflammatory immune response and eliminating infectious pathogens. 
• Dendritic cells (DC) are known for their role as professional APCs. Upon exposure and uptake of pathogens, maturing cells travel to secondary lymphoid organs and become potent T cell activators. The upregulation of cytokines, chemokines, co-stimulatory molecules, and adhesion molecules by the active DCs is a critical part of the adaptive immune response. 
• Target expression profiling on subsets (resting vs. activated)
• Screening for modulation of M1/M2/MDSC (e.g., differentiation)
• Screening for modulation of tumor-conditional response (phenotype and cytokine/chemokine production)
• Effects on antigen presentation
• Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP)
• Monocyte activation test (MAT) for pyrogenic substances in pharmaceutical products

• B lymphocytes are an essential component of the humoral immune response. Produced in the bone marrow, B cells migrate to the spleen and secondary lymphoid tissues where they mature and differentiate into immunocompetent B cells. Part of the adaptive immune system, B cells are responsible for generating antibodies to specific antigens, which they bind via B cell receptors (BCR). 
• Target expression profiling on B cell subsets (resting and activated)
• B cell chemotaxis, migration and adhesion
• Modulation of antibody production
• Modulation of antigen-presenting cell function and cytokine release
• BCR signaling (BTK, CARD11/BCL10/MALT1 complex)

• Mast cells and basophils are potent effector cells of the innate immune system, and they have both beneficial and detrimental functions for the host. They are mainly implicated in pro-inflammatory responses to allergens but can also contribute to protection against pathogens. 
• Differentiation of mast cells from human CD34 progenitor cells.
• Degranulation: histamine and  β-hexosaminidase release.
• Cell migration and chemotaxis
• Basophil Activation Test

• Target expression profiling on cell subsets
• Effects on antigen presentation/killing assays
• Modulation of checkpoint ligand expression
• Modulation of tumor derived immune modulating factors (e.g.eicosanoids, chemokines, cytokines)
• Direct cytotoxicity
• Phagocyte Degranulation

• ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays)
• CDC (complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays)
• ADCP (antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis)
• T cell killing – LDH assay
• NK mediated cell killing assay (FACS based)

• Biochemical and cell-based screening assays for novel immunotherapy. 
• IC50 determination for small or large molecules against immune targets for:  PD-1:PD-L1/2,   PD-L1:B7-1, CTLA4:B7-1,  CTLA4:B7-2, BTLA:HVEM, CD28:B7-1, CD40: CD40L, CD47:Sirpα, CD137:CD137L, OX40:OX40L, GITR:GITRL, TIGIT: CD155,  IDO/TDO, COX1/COX2