Test Catalog

Test Id : LPA3P

Lymphocyte Proliferation to Anti-CD3/Anti-CD28 and Anti-CD3/Interleukin-2 (IL-2) by Flow Cytometry, Blood

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

A second-level test after lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens (specifically phytohemagglutinin) has been assessed. This panel is not useful as a first-level test for assessing lymphocyte (T-cell) function.

 

Evaluating patients suspected of having impairment in cellular immunity

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients with primary immunodeficiencies, either cellular (DiGeorge syndrome, T-negative severe combined immunodeficiency [SCID], etc) or combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies (T- and B-negative SCID, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, ataxia telangiectasia, common variable immunodeficiency, among others) where T-cell function may be impaired

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients with secondary immunodeficiency, either disease related or iatrogenic

 

Evaluation of recovery of T-cell function and competence following bone marrow transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in the context of identifying neutralizing antibodies in patients receiving therapeutic anti-CD3 antibody immunosuppression for solid organ transplantation or autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes

Reflex Tests
Lists tests that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial tests.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
ADSTM Additional Flow Stimulant No, (Bill Only) No

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

To ensure the most reliable results, if insufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the patient's sample due to low white blood cell counts or specimen volume received, selected dilutions or stimulants may not be tested at the discretion of the laboratory.

 

Testing performed with at least one stimulant will be reported. When adequate specimen is available, the second and third stimulants will be evaluated, each at an additional charge.

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Flow Cytometry

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Lymphocyte Proliferation, aCD3

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Anti-CD3 costimulation with anti-CD28

Anti-CD3 costimulation with IL-2

Mitogenic stimulation with anti-CD3

Assessment of T cell function

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

To ensure the most reliable results, if insufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the patient's sample due to low white blood cell counts or specimen volume received, selected dilutions or stimulants may not be tested at the discretion of the laboratory.

 

Testing performed with at least one stimulant will be reported. When adequate specimen is available, the second and third stimulants will be evaluated, each at an additional charge.

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

WB Sodium Heparin

Shipping Instructions

Specimens must be received in the laboratory weekdays and by 4 p.m. on Friday. Collect and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible. Ship specimen overnight in an Ambient Shipping Box-Critical Specimens Only (T668) following the instructions in the box.

 

It is recommended that specimens arrive within 24 hours of collection.

 

Samples arriving on the weekend and observed holidays may be canceled.

Necessary Information

1. Date and time of collection are required.

2. Ordering physician's name and phone number are required.

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Supplies: Ambient Shipping Box-Critical Specimens Only (T668)

Container/Tube: Green top (sodium heparin)

Specimen Volume: 20 mL

See tables for information on recommended volume based on absolute lymphocyte count

Pediatric Volume:

<3 months: 1 mL

3-24 months: 3 mL

25 months-18 years: 5 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Additional Information: For serial monitoring, it is recommended that specimen collection be performed at the same time of day.

 

Table. Blood Volume Recommendations Based on Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC)

ALC

Blood volume for minimum aCD28 only

Blood volume for minimum of aCD3, aCD28, and IL-2

Blood volume for full assay

<0.5

>15 mL

>28 mL

>50 mL

0.5-1.0

15 mL

28 mL

50 mL

1.1-1.5

6.5 mL

12 mL

24 mL

1.6-2.0

4.5 mL

8.5 mL

16 mL

2.1-3.0

3.5 mL

6.5 mL

12 mL

3.1-4.0

2.5 mL

4.5 mL

8 mL

4.1-5.0

1.8 mL

3.5 mL

6 mL

>5.0

1.5 mL

2.5 mL

5 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the Testing Laboratory

See Specimen Required

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
WB Sodium Heparin Ambient 48 hours GREEN TOP/HEP

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

A second-level test after lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens (specifically phytohemagglutinin) has been assessed. This panel is not useful as a first-level test for assessing lymphocyte (T-cell) function.

 

Evaluating patients suspected of having impairment in cellular immunity

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients with primary immunodeficiencies, either cellular (DiGeorge syndrome, T-negative severe combined immunodeficiency [SCID], etc) or combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies (T- and B-negative SCID, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, ataxia telangiectasia, common variable immunodeficiency, among others) where T-cell function may be impaired

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients with secondary immunodeficiency, either disease related or iatrogenic

 

Evaluation of recovery of T-cell function and competence following bone marrow transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in patients receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy

 

Evaluation of T-cell function in the context of identifying neutralizing antibodies in patients receiving therapeutic anti-CD3 antibody immunosuppression for solid organ transplantation or autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

To ensure the most reliable results, if insufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the patient's sample due to low white blood cell counts or specimen volume received, selected dilutions or stimulants may not be tested at the discretion of the laboratory.

 

Testing performed with at least one stimulant will be reported. When adequate specimen is available, the second and third stimulants will be evaluated, each at an additional charge.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

T-cell stimulation in vitro is used extensively in the diagnostic immunology arena for facilitating T-cell proliferation and evaluation of T-cell function in a variety of clinical contexts.(1,2) The widely used method for assessing lymphocyte proliferation has been the measurement of (3)H-thymidine incorporated into the DNA of proliferating cells. The disadvantages of the (3)H-thymidine method of lymphocyte proliferation are:

1. The technique is cumbersome due to the use of radioactivity.

2. It does not distinguish between different cell populations responding to stimulation.

3. It does not provide any information on the contribution of apoptosis or cell death to the interpretation of the final result.

 

Further, decreased lymphocyte proliferation could be due to several factors, including overall diminution of T-cell proliferation, or an apparent decrease in total lymphocyte proliferation due to T-cell lymphopenia and under-representation of T cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell pool. None of these can be distinguished by the thymidine uptake assay but can be assessed by flow cytometry, which uses antibodies to identify specific responder cell populations. Cell viability can also be measured within the same assay without requiring additional cell manipulation or specimen.

 

While mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin activate T cells by binding to cell membrane glycoproteins, including the T-cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex, there are mitogenic or co-mitogenic antibodies, including those directed against the CD3 coreceptor that can stimulate T-cell proliferation. Typically, anti-CD3 antibodies provide an initial activation signal but do not induce significant proliferation, and the addition of a costimulatory antibody (anti-CD28) provides the stimulus for robust proliferation.(3) An exogenous T-cell growth factor, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), may also be used as an alternate to anti-CD28 costimulation, and in patients with suspected IL-2 receptor-associated signaling defects, it may be more helpful than the use of anti-CD28. IL-2, an autocrine cytokine, has been demonstrated to be critical in T-cell proliferation.(4,5) The interaction of IL-2 with the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) plays a central role in regulation of T-cell proliferation.(4) Triggering of the TCR leads to synthesis of IL-2 in certain T-cell subsets and induction of high-affinity IL-2Rs in antigen- or mitogen-activated T cells, and the binding of IL-2 to IL-2R ultimately leads to T-cell proliferation. The use of exogenous IL-2 in association with anti-CD3 allows discrimination of whether T cells, which cannot proliferate to other mitogenic signals, can respond to a potent growth factor such as IL-2. Stimulation of T cells with soluble antibodies to anti-CD3 (and the associated TCR complex) causes mobilization of cytoplasmic calcium and translocation of protein kinase C from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. This stimulation also causes induction of phosphatidylinositol metabolism and subsequent IL-2 production for proliferation.(6) T-cell activation induced by anti-CD3 antibody requires prolonged stimulation of protein kinase C, which apparently can be achieved by the concomitant use of the anti-CD28 antibody for costimulation without addition of other mitogenic stimuli, such as phorbol myristate acetate.(7)

 

This assay uses a method that directly measures the S-phase proliferation of lymphocytes through the use of click chemistry. In the Invitrogen Click-iT-EdU assay, the click chemistry has been adapted to measure cell proliferation through direct detection of nucleotide incorporation. The Click-iT-EdU assay has been shown to be an acceptable alternative to the (3)H-thymidine assay for measuring lymphocyte/T-cell proliferation.(8,9)

 

In the assay, an alkyne-modified nucleoside is supplied in cell-growth media for a defined period and is incorporated within cells. The cells are subsequently fixed, permeabilized, and reacted with a dye-labeled azide, catalyzed by copper. A covalent bond is formed between the dye and the incorporated nucleotide, and the fluorescent signal is then measured by flow cytometry.(10) Specific proliferating cell populations can be visualized by the addition of cell-specific antibodies. Cell viability, apoptosis, and death can also be measured by flow cytometry using 7-aminoactinomycin D and annexin V.

 

The absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets are known to be influenced by a variety of biological factors, including hormones, the environment, and temperature. The studies on diurnal (circadian) variation in lymphocyte counts have demonstrated progressive increase in CD4 T-cell count throughout the day, while CD8 T cells and CD19+ B cells increase between 8:30 am and noon, with no change between noon and afternoon. Natural killer -cell counts, on the other hand, is constant throughout the day. Circadian variations in circulating T-cell counts negatively correlate with plasma cortisol concentration. In fact, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations control distribution and, therefore, the numbers of naive versus effector CD4 and CD8 T cells. It is generally accepted that lower CD4 T-cell counts are seen in the morning compared with the evening(11) and during summer compared to winter(12). These data, therefore, indicate that timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Viability of lymphocytes at day 0: > or =75.0%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 as % CD45: > or =19.4%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 as % CD3: > or =20.3%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 as % CD45: > or =37.5%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 as % CD3: > or =44.6%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 + IL-2 as % CD45: > or =41.7%

Maximum proliferation of anti-CD3 + IL-2 as % CD3: > or =46.2%

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Abnormal anti-CD3/anti-CD28/interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulation test results are indicative of impaired T-cell function if T-cell counts are normal or only modestly decreased. If there is profound T-cell lymphopenia, it must be kept in mind that there could be a "dilution" effect with underrepresentation of T cells within the peripheral blood mononuclear cells population that could result in lower T-cell proliferative responses. However, this is not a significant concern in the flow cytometry assay, since acquisition of additional cellular events during analysis can compensate for artificial reduction in proliferation due to lower T-cell counts. The evaluation of T-cell proliferation to anti-CD3/IL-2 is likely to be helpful in assessing T-cell function in patients with refractory responses to other mitogenic and antigenic stimuli, specifically in the context of IL-2-receptor signaling defects, enabling greater mechanistic insight into the origins of T-cell dysfunction.

 

There is no absolute correlation between T-cell proliferation in vitro and a clinically significant immunodeficiency, whether primary or secondary, since T-cell proliferation in response to activation is necessary, but not sufficient, for an effective immune response. Therefore, the proliferative response to any mitogenic stimulus, including anti-CD3/anti-CD28, can be regarded as a more specific but less sensitive test for the diagnosis of infection susceptibility. No single laboratory test can identify or define impaired cellular immunity on its own.

 

Controls in this laboratory and most clinical laboratories are healthy adults. Since this test is used for screening and evaluating cellular immune dysfunction in infants and children, it is reasonable to question the comparability of proliferative responses between healthy infants, children, and adults. One study has reported that the highest mitogen responses are seen in newborn infants with subsequent decline to 6 months of age, and a continuing decline through adolescence to half the neonatal response.(13) In our evaluation of 43 pediatric samples (of all ages) with adult normal controls, only 21% and 14% were below the tenth percentile of the adult reference range for the mitogens, pokeweed mitogen and phytohemagglutinin , respectively. Comparisons between pediatric and adult data have not been performed for anti-CD3/anti-CD28 due to unavailability of prospective blood samples from healthy or patient pediatric donors for purposes of analytical validation.

 

Without obtaining formal pediatric reference values, it remains a possibility that the response in infants and children can be underestimated. However, the practical challenges of generating a pediatric range for this assay necessitate comparison of pediatric data with adult reference values or controls.

 

Lymphocyte proliferation responses to mitogens (including anti-CD3 stimulation) and antigens are significantly affected by time elapsed since blood collection. Results have been shown to be variable for specimens assessed between 24- and 48-hours post blood collection; therefore, lymphocyte proliferation results must be interpreted with due caution and results should be correlated with clinical context.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

When interpreting results, note the range of lymphocyte proliferative responses observed in healthy, immunologically competent individuals is large. The reference values provided (based on healthy donors) will be helpful in ascertaining the magnitude of the patient response.

 

Lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens is known to be affected by concomitant use of steroids, immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine (CsA), tacrolimus (FK506), CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), immunomodulatory agents, alcohol, and physiological and social stress. Calcineurin inhibitors, such as CsA and tacrolimus would specifically inhibit interleukin-2 (IL-2)-stimulated proliferation since they specifically block production of IL-2 after T-cell activation. Also, IL-2-receptor-targeting monoclonal antibodies, such as daclizumab and basiliximab will also interfere with IL-2-stimulated proliferation.

 

Anti-CD3 proliferation should not be used as a first-line test when assessing lymphocyte proliferative responses. Ideally, mitogen proliferation (especially to phytohemagglutinin) should be assessed first, followed by antigens. If there are abnormal results to either, especially the former, it would be worthwhile to pursue additional testing for lymphocyte proliferation to anti-CD3 panel.

 

Specimens older than 24 hours may yield spurious results.

 

Diminished results may be obtained in specimens that contain excess neutrophils or nonviable cells.(14)

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Dupont B, Good RA: Lymphocyte transformation in vitro in patients with immunodeficiency diseases: use in diagnosis, histocompatability testing and monitoring treatment. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser. 1975;11:477-485

2. Stone KD, Feldman HA, Huisman C, Howlett C, Jabara HH, Bonilla FA: Analysis of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation as a screening tool for cellular immunodeficiency. Clin Immunol. 2009 Apr;131(1):41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.11.003

3. Frauwirth KA, Thompson CB: Activation and inhibition of lymphocytes by costimulation. J Clin Invest. 2002 Feb;109(3):295-299. doi: 10.1172/JCI14941

4. Smith KA, Gillis S, Baker PE, et al: T-cell growth factor-mediated T cell proliferation. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979;332:423. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb47136.x

5. Cantrell DA, Smith KA: The interleukin-2 T cell system: a new cell growth model. Science. 1984;224(4655):1312-1316. doi: 10.1126/science.6427923

6. Ledbetter JA, Gentry LE, June CH, et al: Stimulation of T cells through the CD3/T cell receptor complex: role of cytoplasmic calcium, protein kinase C translocation, and phosphorylation of pp60c-src in the activation pathway. Mol Cell Biol. 1987 Feb;7(2):650-656. doi: 10.1128/mcb.7.2.650-656.1987

7. Davis LS, Lipsky PE: T cell activation induced by anti-CD3 antibodies requires prolonged stimulation of protein kinase C. Cell Immunol. 1989 Jan;118(1):208-221. doi: 10.1016/0008-8749(89)90370-5

8. Yu Y, Arora A, Min W, et al: EdU-Click iT flow cytometry assay as an alternative to [3H]thymidine for measuring proliferation of human and mice T lymphocytes. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Feb;123(2):S87. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.307

9. Clarke ST, Calderon V, Bradford JA: Click chemistry for analysis of cell proliferation in flow cytometry. Curr Protoc Cytom. 2017 Oct;82:7.49.1-7.49.30. doi: 10.1002/cpcy.24

10. Salic A, Mitchison TJ: A chemical method for fast and sensitive detection of DNA synthesis in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008 Feb 19;105(7):2415-2420. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0712168105

11. Malone JL, Simms TE, Gray GC, et al: Sources of variability in repeated T-helper lymphocyte counts from HIV 1-infected patients: total lymphocyte count fluctuations and diurnal cycle are important. J AIDS. 1990;(3):144-151

12. Paglieroni TG, Holland PV: Circannual variation in lymphocyte subsets, revisited. Transfusion. 1994 Jun;34(6):512-516

13. Hicks MJ, Jones JK, Thies AC, et al: Age-related changes in mitogen-induced lymphocyte function from birth to old age. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983 Aug;80(2):159-163. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/80.2.159

14. Fletcher MA, Urban RG, Asthana D, et al: Lymphocyte proliferation. In: Rose NR, de Macario EC, Folds JD, et al: Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. 5th ed.ASM Press; 1997:313-319

15. Knight V, Heimall JR, Chong H, et al: A toolkit and framework for optimal laboratory evaluation of individuals with suspected primary immunodeficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Sept;9(9):3293-3307.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.05.004

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with L-glutamine and 5% human AB serum are incubated unstimulated or stimulated with varying concentrations of anti-CD3, anti-CD3+anti-CD28, or anti-CD3+IL-2. A daily experimental normal control is included with each batch of patient samples to serve as an internal control.

 

Following incubation, the cells are assessed for proliferation and stained with the following markers: CD45+ lymphocytes, CD3+ T cells, and CD69+ activated cells. Results are reported for the percent viable cells on day 0, as well as the percentage of proliferating cells of total lymphocytes and T cells.(Unpublished Mayo method)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Friday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

5 to 8 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

Not retained. Entire specimen is used in preparation of the assay.

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

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Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

86353 x 2

86353 (as appropriate)

 

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
LPA3P Lymphocyte Proliferation, aCD3 59063-8
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
35203 Viab of Lymphs at Day 0 33193-4
35171 Max Prolif, soluble aCD3 as % CD45 81760-1
35172 Max Prolif, soluble aCD3 as % CD3 81756-9
35173 Max Prolif, soluble aCD28 as % CD45 81759-3
35174 Max Prolif, soluble aCD28 as % CD3 81758-5
35176 Max Prolif, soluble IL2 as % CD45 81755-1
35177 Max Prolif, soluble IL2 as % CD3 81757-7
35204 aCD3 Comment 48767-8
35205 Interpretation 69965-2

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
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Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
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