Comparing T cell memory status using surface marker and cytokine
profiles
The flow cytometric characterization of EBV-specific T cells in the
current second-generation SNBTS bank was restricted to a small panel of
essential lineage markers: CD8, CD4, CD19 and CD56 plus 7-AAD for
viability. Manufacturing release criteria were confined to the presence
of <2% CD19 B cells (as a marker of LCL contamination) and
>10% specific lysis against autologous LCLs by
cytotoxicity assay. In this study we extended this analysis to
characterize T cell products on the basis of lineage, memory and
differentiation status, and correlate this with cytokine profile to
improve the assessment of quality and functionality of T cell material
used for clinical therapy. This was used to assess the outcomes from
optimisation of the LCL-based manufacturing method.