SARS-CoV-2 iSpot (2 antigens)

Description

SARS-CoV-2 iSpot (2 antigens)
Assay for cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Detects the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 stimulated by SARS-CoV-2 antigens .

The cellular immune system, and in particular T cells, control the strength of the immune response in response to a pathogen by releasing cytokines to enhance or suppress the response depending on the viral load. The detection of reactive T cells (effector cells) against a pathogen indicates contact and therefore acute or persistent infection, regardless of whether antibodies have been formed.

Most notably, T cell responses against SARS-CoV can be detected over a longer period of time than antibody titer.

The EliSpot assay is able to detect T-cell responses at the level of individual cells and thus characterize the individual immune response of infected individuals. The detection of cytokine release from T cells that are stimulated by specific coronavirus antigens provides a differentiated picture of the immune response to show the development of the disease course and immunity after infection.

Interleukin 2 regulates the activity of T-lymphocytes. It promotes the activation and proliferation of T cells and the differentiation of CD8+ T cells into memory cells. In CoV-iSpot, the only detection of effector cells producing IFN-γ suggests an immune response in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Detection of IL-2 or simultaneous detection of IFN-γ and IL-2 argue in favor of the presence of memory cells as an indicator of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection with possible cellular immunity.

Benefits of Analysis:
- High specificity and sensitivity compared to serologic assays.
- Complement to direct PCR detection and/or antibody titer determination.
- Vaccination success can be demonstrated/confirmed at the cellular level.