Immunology Assays
We understand and have validated models for every cell in the immune system, and those cells which interact with it. This level of expertise is what enables our dedicated analytical and cell biology teams to run assays using primary cells that closely mimic human biology and are suitable for immunology drug screening programs.
Rhiannon Jenkinson, Director of Science at Charles River, discusses modeling the immune response.
Immunology is an increasingly challenging field of study. The immune system itself is not only a complex, interdependent system of various cell types, but also the actions of those cells are influenced by an array of genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, a wide range of single or multi-cellular assays are required for determining MOA, screening compounds, validating biomarkers, and providing predictive immunotoxicology. Our expertise in cell biology, including primary human, large animal, and rodent cell cultures, provides a platform for the immunological and pharmacological investigations that will help you to understand your drug better.
Validated In Vitro Immunology Assays
- Fibroblast-like Synoviocyte Activation Assay
- Chemotaxis Assay: Monocytes
- Chemotaxis Assay: Neutrophils
- Conventional Dendritic Cells Activation Assay
To better understand what is happening within individual cells and the immune interactions taking place, we capture fixed and live cell imaging data that gives a richer, multiparametric view of the system.
An integral part of immunology studies is flow cytometry sorting and analysis. These techniques allow us to determine the ability of compounds to modulate proliferation and cytokine production in primary cell subsets. The figure above is an example of antigen-specific IFNγ, IL-17, Ki-67, and CD71 as markers of proliferating activated cells.
Multicolor immunofluorescence is used to investigate pharmacodynamic changes and target engagement in clinical samples and in samples from pharmacology models.
Microscopy is useful to:
- Provide a detailed determination of uptake, delivery, and intracellular compartmentalization
- Study target protein expression and localization
- Look at receptor trafficking, internalization, and recycling
- Confirm co-localization of the target and therapeutic agents
Our experienced immunologists can help you perceive not only what is happening within the cells that are of interest to you, but also gain a deeper understanding of the immune responses taking place.