Abstract: | Application of main histocompatibility complex tetrames (MHC-tetramers) for antigen specific T-cells detection and analysis coupled with flow cytometry opened new opportunities for T-cell response analysis. MHC-multimers allow the detection of T-cells against viral, cancer and vaccine antigens with exceptional sensitivity and specificity. This approach has become the "gold standard" for quantative analysis of T-cell immune response. Certain aspects of analysis using MHC-tetramer are examined, and importance of this approach in T-cell response efficacy evaluation in anti-HIV vaccine trials as well as in HIV positive patients are discussed. |