Flow laser cytometry for evaluation of the human immune system

Some flow laser cytometry (FLC) techniques intended for studies of the immune system cells are reviewed. A widespread analytical method is the phenotyping of lymphocytes by the markers they express. The use of FLC permits the evaluation of practically all functional parameters of immunocompetent cells. Thus, to analyze their ingestive and microbicidal activity fluorochrome-labeled microorganisms are used. The apploication of indicator dyes makes it possible to evaluate calcium mobilization and formation of active forms of oxygen. FLC is used for the identification of cytokines inside the cell and in the medium. The authors propose tests for the analysis of the proliferative activity of lymphocytes, the cytotoxicity of natural killers, the evaluation of apoptosis and protein processing with monocytes/macrophages.