PBMC models

PBMC model (peripheral blood mononuclear cell models)

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) constitute a very important part of our peripheral immune system. The PBMCs consist mainly of monocytes, T-cells and B-cells, and smaller amounts of NK cells and dendritic cells of both myeloid and plasmacytoid origin.

Bioneer offers screening of compounds for immune-modulatory effects in the PBMC model. The cells are derived from healthy human donors and processed using the Ficoll-Hypaque method. The PBMCs are suitable for assessment of the general immune activation of drug candidates or microorganisms, for which an immune stimulation is of interest (e.g. vaccine adjuvants and particles, immune stimulants for cancer treatment or immune stimulating natural extracts or micro organisms).
Furthermore, anti-inflammatory drug candidates and immune suppressive microorganisms like probiotics can be evaluated using our proprietary immune stimulating cocktails, promoting Th1 and Th17 responses in an autologous system.
The PBMC model can be used with the following end-points:

  • Cytokine and Chemokine readout (typical but not limited to e.g. IL-1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, IFNg, TNFa)
  • FACS analyses of specific receptors on different PBMC cellular subsets to assess cell phenotype and activation state (e.g. CD3, 4, 11, 14, 20, 40)
  • T-cell or B-cell activation using proliferation assays.

The PBMC model is suitable for screening of both small and larger panels of compounds. The model is particularly relevant for testing of drug candidates intended for intravenous administration, and for the assessment of potential toxic risks associated with clinical trials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Figure 1: PBMC stimulation from one representative donor. Super agonist stimulation induces general boost with induction of multiple cytokines. The Th17 cocktail preferentially induces IL-17 combined with low amounts of IFN-gamma, IL-12 and IL-13. The Th1 cocktail 1 and 2 preferentially induces IL-12 and IFN-gamma, combined with low amounts of IL-17 and IL-13 (click figure for larger image)

 

Bioneer generally recommends the testing of each candidate using human PBMCs derived from in at least three donors.


For further information, please contact Group Leader, Immune Targeting; Simon Skjøde Jensen by phone (+45 45160444) or email.