URINE-DERIVED EPITHELIAL CELL LINES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF AN ANTI-BK-VIRUS OR ANTI-GRAFT IMMUNE RESPONSE

摘要

A method for detecting an immune response in a patient after kidney transplantation is provided. The method comprises the isolation of epithelial cells from the urine of the patient and providing a sample of whole blood obtained from the same patient. The method further comprises cultivation and infection with BK-virus of epithelial cells and a direct and/or indirect reactive T-cell determination step. T-cells comprised within the sample of whole blood that are activated by the BK-virus-infected epithelial cells or antigen-presenting cells loaded with BK-virus specific antigens are determined. The presence of BK-reactive-T-cells is indicative of an immune response. In a further aspect of the invention a method for obtaining a T-cell from a patient after kidney transplantation is provided, wherein said T-cell is specific for antigens derived from BK-virus or kidney graft tissue.