Method of detecting antigen-specific T lymphocytes

1. A method of detecting an antigen-specific T lymphocyte in a sample, the method comprising:

a) combining a cell sample comprising a T lymphocyte with an isolated antigen, an IL-15 receptor agonist, and an IL-7 receptor agonist, forming a test sample, wherein the IL-15 receptor agonist is naturally occurring IL-15, recombinant IL-15, or synthetic IL-15, and wherein the IL-7 receptor agonist is naturally occurring IL-7, recombinant IL-7, or synthetic IL-7; and

b) detecting a T lymphocyte specific for the antigen in the test sample.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting step comprises detecting interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreted by the antigen-specific T lymphocyte.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the IFN-γ is detected by capturing IFN-γ on a solid support, and detecting the captured IFN-γ with an antibody specific for IFN-γ.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is an allergen.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is an antigen associated with a pathogenic microorganism.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is an autoantigen.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is a tumor-associated antigen.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen-specific T lymphocyte is a CD4 + T lymphocyte.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen-specific T lymphocyte is a CD8 + T lymphocyte.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in step (a), combining the cell sample with an antibody that binds a Class I MHC polypeptide, thereby reducing detection of CD8 + T lymphocytes in the sample.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in step (a), combining the cell sample with an antibody that binds a Class II MHC polypeptide, thereby reducing detection of CD4 + T lymphocytes in the sample.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is at least 80% pure.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigen is synthetic.