T-CELL RECEPTOR NEOANTIGEN INTERACTION AND OTHER CELL ANALYSIS VIA MICROFLUIDICS

摘要

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for analyzing the interaction of T-cells and neoantigen presenting cells (and other cells) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluids. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a T-cell, and a discrete entity containing a neoantigen presenting cell, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In particular embodiments, at least one thousand of such combined discrete entities are formed in about one second. In some embodiments, whether the receptor on the T-cell sufficiently binds the neoantigen to activate the T-Cell is detected (e.g., via detection of cytokine or granzyme B release). In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for identifying polyfunctional T-cells or NK-cells, as well as methods of screening for such cells that would be cytotoxic if injected into a subject.