The IMMUNOBIOGRAM® is an endpoint bioassay. It is done with a 10 ml peripheral blood sample per patient. The readout of the bioassay translates in numbers the inhibition of the patient´s T cells proliferative response after exposure to each immunosuppressive drug.
This bioassay is done with a sample of 3D cell culture of PBMCs, one part is physiologically stimulated (control +), and the other part is not stimulated and serve as control (control -).
A hydrogel containing the PBMCs is loaded in longitudinal channels and immunosuppressive (IMS) drugs delivery devices are placed at the edge of the different channels. In each channel a IMSs concentration gradient takes place due to a passive diffusion process.
After 18-20h of exposure to IMSs, an indicator of cell proliferation/viability reveals the capacity of IMSs gradient to inhibit the activation of T cells. A quantifiable signal is obtained and properly measured with fluorimetry.
A mathematical model and a software for the data interpretation have been developed to evaluate the IMMUNOBIOGRAM® dose/response curves to IMSs and obtain the patient sensitivity /resistance profile to each of the IMS tested.
