A novel flow cytometric assay focusing on perforin release mechanisms of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

CD8hi+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are major players in immune defense. In addition, they contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis. We now describe a hitherto unavailable, but simple assay to determine ex vivo lytic granule-based cytotoxic functions of human CD8hi+ CTL subgroups in a clinical setting, under target cell free conditions. Ficoll-isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes from 17 healthy volunteers were stimulated either by...