Epigenetic Markers for the Identification of Blood Sub-Cells of Type 1

• Main Authors: OLEK SVEN, TURBACHOVA IVANA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.2012
• Subjects: BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ORENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES; DERIVATIVES THEREOF; ENZYMOLOGY; MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEICACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; NUCLEIC ACIDS; NUCLEOSIDES; NUCLEOTIDES; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; SPIRITS; SUGARS; VINEGAR; WINE

The present invention relates to a method, in particular an in vitro method, for identifying CD3CD4 positive T lymphocytes of a mammal, wherein said method comprises analysing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the CD3a/b/c/d/g genes, in particular their "upstream" regulatory regions, and in particular the promoter and other conserved regions of the gene cd3, wherein a demethylation of at least one CpG in the analyzed sample to at least 90% is indicative for memory and naive CD4 or/and memory and/or native T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the present invention is directed at the use of DNA-methylation analysis of the genes CD3a/b/c/d for the detection and quality assurance and control of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit for performing the above methods as well as respective uses thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention furthermore provides an improved method for analysing the methylation status of at least one CpG position in the gene CD3, allowing for a precise analysis even from sub-optimal quality samples, such as non-freshly obtained blood or serum samples.