MHC Tetramer Core Laboratory
The Baylor College of Medicine Tetramer Core Laboratory was established in March 2003 as part of the Protein Chemistry Core Laboratory. Our goal is to provide custom synthesis of soluble MHC-peptide tetramer reagents to BCM investigators that can be used to stain antigen-specific T cells. Tetramers and/or their derivatives are provided for research purposes only. Their use for commercial purposes is prohibited.
Our location and contact information:
One Baylor Plaza
DeBakey Bldg, Room M917
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-3918
Fax: 713-798-3700
Email: lxwang@bcm.tmc.edu
Contact person: Lily Wang
Why MHC Tetramers?
MHC Tetramer technique has become a "gold standard" for the quantification of CD8+ T cell immune responses. The development of this technique has revolutionized the study of T cell immune responses. The acceptance of the method is indicated by the number of citations to key papers describing the method: the original Science paper describing the method has been cited 500 times.
By offering exquisite antigen specificity and sensitivity, it is suitable for basic and clinical study in a number of applications including drug / vaccine development. Proven through extensive research, MHC Tetramer technology has been used to accurately and efficiently monitor CD8+ T cell responses in the following conditions:
- Viruses (Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Epstein Barr Virus-mononucleosis, Cytomegalovirus, Human Papilloma Virus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Influenza, Measles and viruses for Rhesus Macaque and Murine)
- Parasitic infection (malaria)
- Cancer (breast, prostate, melanoma, colon, lung, cervical)
- Autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Transplantation
The major benefits of using this method have been summarized as the following:
- Rapid quantitative results
- No radioisotopes or in vitro stimulation and expansion
- Exquisite antigen specificity with high sensitivity
- Maintenance of cell integrity for further analysis
Current Available MHC Class I Alleles
| Human | Murine | Macaque | Chimpanzee | Swine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLA-A*0101 | H2-Db | Mamu-A*01 | PATR A*0101 | SLA-1*0301 (1*wxd) |
| HLA-A*0201 | H2-Dd | Mamu-A*02 | PATR A*0401 | |
| HLA-A*0205 | H2-Dk | Mamu-A*08 | PATR B*0101 | |
| HLA-A*0301 | H2-Kb | Mamu-A*11 | PATR B*0301 | |
| HLA-A*1101 | H2-Kd | Mamu-B*01 | PATR B*13 | |
| HLA-A*2301 | H2-Kk | Mamu-B*03 | PATR B*2001 | |
| HLA-A*2402 | H2-Ld | Mamu-B*04 | PATR B*23 | |
| HLA-A*2902 | H2-M3 | Mamu-B*12 | ||
| HLA-A*3002 | Qa1b | Mamu-B*17 | ||
| HLA-A*31012 | Kb.A2 | |||
| HLA-A*68012 | Kb.Ld | |||
| HLA-A*7401 | A2.Kb | |||
| HLA-B*0702 | Mouse HFE | |||
| HLA-B*0801 | ||||
| HLA-B*1402 (B65) | ||||
| HLA-B*1501 | ||||
| HLA-B*1503 | ||||
| HLA-B*2705 | ||||
| HLA-B*3501 | ||||
| HLA-B*3502 | ||||
| HLA-B*3503 | ||||
| HLA-B*4402 | ||||
| HLA-B*4501 | ||||
| HLA-B*4601 | ||||
| HLA-B*5101 | ||||
| HLA-B*5301 | ||||
| HLA-B*5701 | ||||
| HLA-E*01033 | ||||
| HLA-Cw*0304 | ||||
| MICA 004 | ||||
| MICA 008 |