| abstract |
A method for analysis of a T cell repertoire is provided, whereby T cell receptor protein sequences are obtained from lymphocytes, TCR sequences are aligned with a TCR sequence data base, and TCR sequences aligning to data base sequences are selected and their frequency distribution is determined. The TCR sequence data base is obtained by stimulating lymphocytes in vitro with antigens, selecting T cells responding to stimulation and obtaining TCR sequences from the selected cells, or comprises TCR specific for a tumour or an adoptively transferred T cell. Additionally, a method to obtain antigen-specific T cells for adoptive transfer is provided, whereby T cells responding to stimulation with antigens are selected, T cells comprising certain TCR sequences are obtained by culturing individual clones or by transferring a transgenic TCR into a T cell. |