biostudies-literatureKorber NBayerische Forschungsstiftung242https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7298696biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)<h4>Background</h4>Pools of overlapping synthetic peptides are routinely used for ex vivo monitoring of antigen-specific T-cell responses. However, it is rather unlikely that these peptides match those resulting from naturally processed antigens. T-activated proteins have been described as immunogenic and more natural stimulants, since they have to pass through antigen processing and comprise activation of all clinically relevant effector cell populations.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed comparative analysis of numbers and cytokine expression pattern of CD4 and CD8 T cells after stimulation with recombinant, urea-formulated T-activated EBV-BZLF1, -EBNA3A, and HCMV-IE1, and -pp65 proteins or corresponding overlapping peptide pools. Freshly isolated and cryopreserved PBMC of 30 EBV- and 19 HCMV-Journal of translational medicineEvaluation of T-activated proteins as recall antigens to monitor Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus-specific T cells in a clinical trial setting.PMC7298696AZ 1070-13Protzer UBauer TKorber NBehrends UfalseEvaluation of T-activated proteins as recall antigens to monitor Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus-specific T cells in a clinical trial setting.<h4>Background</h4>Pools of overlapping synthetic peptides are routinely used for ex vivo monitoring of antigen-specific T-cell responses. However, it is rather unlikely that these peptides match those resulting from naturally processed antigens. T-activated proteins have been described as immunogenic and more natural stimulants, since they have to pass through antigen processing and comprise activation of all clinically relevant effector cell populations.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed comparative analysis of numbers and cytokine expression pattern of CD4 and CD8 T cells after stimulation with recombinant, urea-formulated T-activated EBV-BZLF1, -EBNA3A, and HCMV-IE1, and -pp65 proteins or corresponding overlapping peptide pools. Freshly isolated and cryopreserved PBMC of 30 EBV- and 19 HCMV-2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jun2025-04-21T23:28:51.708Z2020-06-25T07:36:25ZS-EPMC72986963255269710.1186/s12967-020-02385-x