Comparing T cell memory status using surface marker and cytokine profiles
The flow cytometric characterization of EBV-specific T cells in the current second-generation SNBTS bank was restricted to a small panel of essential lineage markers: CD8, CD4, CD19 and CD56 plus 7-AAD for viability. Manufacturing release criteria were confined to the presence of <2% CD19 B cells (as a marker of LCL contamination) and >10% specific lysis against autologous LCLs by cytotoxicity assay. In this study we extended this analysis to characterize T cell products on the basis of lineage, memory and differentiation status, and correlate this with cytokine profile to improve the assessment of quality and functionality of T cell material used for clinical therapy. This was used to assess the outcomes from optimisation of the LCL-based manufacturing method.