Neutrophils amongst red blood cells.
Note neutrophils are 3 dimensional entities.
Our test maintains their structural integrity.
Figure: Photo Credit K Kathryna
Rapid Monitoring of Immune Function
The immune system plays a pivotal role in health and disease. Quantification of immune function is increasingly recognised as an important part of clinical practice allowing both prognostication and tailoring of on-going care. At present no simple rapid tests exist to monitor immune function. To address this unmet clinical need we have developed the Leukocyte ImmunoTest™ (LIT™).
Powerful & Rapid
The Leukocyte ImmunoTest™ ( LIT™) was developed with one thing in mind: to produce a powerful rapid 10 minute point-of-care (POC) test to determine how well an individual’s immune system is working.
What information can the test provide?
· An indication of a compromised immune system
· Early warning of the immune system response to disease or infection
· Actionable immune function data in real time
What are the key features of the test system?
· Easy to use
· Requires only a finger-prick drop of blood
· Portable (handheld device)
· Rapid (results are available in ten minutes)
· Provides near-patient actionable results
Background Science
What is the ideal immuno bio-indicator?
The immune response is a highly co-ordinated response designed to keep individuals healthy. It can detect abnormalities in the body and responds to mediators released by injury and disease processes. Measuring cell numbers can be helpful (e.g. WBC), but that does not does not tell the whole story. The ideal immune indicator monitors the multifaceted effects of injury or disease on the function of the immune system. An overactive or under-active immune system can have debilitating and long-standing consequences.
Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET): Scanning electron microscope of neutrophil (yellow) casting net (green). Image by Dr Volkwr Brinkmann, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology
Our test utilises whole blood which contains all the mediators released during the process of disease. We can monitor the effect disease has on leukocyte (primarily but not exclusively on neutrophils) function in 3 dimensions. This maintains receptor structure and integrity within the cells and better reflects actual cellular processes.
These cells act as bio-indicators, circulating throughout the body picking up and responding to all the signals of disease and injury. They are often the first immune cells in the body to be rapidly mobilised and communicate with other immune cells. They can enter and leave the circulation and have over 250 receptors, making them an ideal immune bio-indicator. They are also able to orchestrate and release mediators that influence adaptive immunity.
What happens in disease or injury?
Mediators released by disease and injury alter the responsiveness of the cells. We can pick up those subtle changes in reactivity with our simple test.
How does the Leukocyte ImmunoTest™ work?
The test measures of the ability of leukocytes to respond to an external stimulator and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The consequences of ROS production
ROS are a powerful mediators produced by cells. They can modify DNA bases, disrupt membranes, affect protein cross-linking, inactivate enzymes and ion channels, react with other cells, affect multiple signalling pathways, alter phosphorylation cascades, alter the production of inflammatory mediators, arrest cell growth and promote cell death.
ROS production is affected by the mediators produced in injury and disease states. These mediators can alter the immediate external environment of the blood. Leukocytes (primarily, but not exclusively, neutrophils) which have been exposed to disease and injury within the body will have an altered capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to an external stimulator.
Independent investigators have demonstrated that the test specifically and rapidly (10 minutes) quantifies primarily neutrophil ROS release using a small volume of blood obtained from different sources.
Signature of Disease
Every disease has a unique pattern of immune responsiveness and ROS production. This will depend on the nature, duration and intensity of the disease.
Examples of disorders and clinical situation that can be monitored using LIT™:
These cells act as bio-indicators, circulating throughout the body picking up and responding to all the signals of disease and injury. They are often the first immune cells in the body to be rapidly mobilised and communicate with other immune cells. They can enter and leave the circulation and have over 250 receptors, making them an ideal immune bio-indicator. They are also able to orchestrate and release mediators that influence adaptive immunity.
What happens in disease or injury?
Mediators released by disease and injury alter the responsiveness of the cells. We can pick up those subtle changes in reactivity with our simple test.
How does the Leukocyte ImmunoTest™ work?
The test measures of the ability of leukocytes to respond to an external stimulator and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The consequences of ROS production
ROS are a powerful mediators produced by cells. They can modify DNA bases, disrupt membranes, affect protein cross-linking, inactivate enzymes and ion channels, react with other cells, affect multiple signalling pathways, alter phosphorylation cascades, alter the production of inflammatory mediators, arrest cell growth and promote cell death.
ROS production is affected by the mediators produced in injury and disease states. These mediators can alter the immediate external environment of the blood. Leukocytes (primarily, but not exclusively, neutrophils) which have been exposed to disease and injury within the body will have an altered capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to an external stimulator.
Independent investigators have demonstrated that the test specifically and rapidly (10 minutes) quantifies primarily neutrophil ROS release using a small volume of blood obtained from different sources.
Signature of Disease
Every disease has a unique pattern of immune responsiveness and ROS production. This will depend on the nature, duration and intensity of the disease.
Examples of disorders and clinical situation that can be monitored using LIT™:
- Surgery
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy
- Infectious Diseases