Method for determining the immunogenicity of an antigen
The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
1. A method for determining the immunogenicity of an antigen in vitro comprising:
preparing a cell culture comprising dendritic cells primed with an antigen;
adding syngeneic B cells to the cell culture;
adding allogeneic T cells to the cell culture; and
measuring a B cell response to said antigen and comparing the measured B cell response to a B cell response in a control culture in which said antigen was not utilized, thereby determining the immunogenicity of an antigen in vitro.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding additional antigen to the cell culture together with the allogeneic T cells.