MIGRAs: are they the new IGRAs? Development of monokine-amplified IFN-γ release assays

Biomark Med. 2012 Apr;6(2):177-86. doi: 10.2217/bmm.12.13.

Abstract

IFN-γ release by antigen-specific T cells can be used to track immune responses to infections and vaccines. In recent years, there have been substantial advances in the techniques available to measure IFN-γ release and a generation of such assays are now available for clinical use, as well as in a research setting. Interferon release leads to subsequent release of interferon-responsive chemokines such as MIG and IP-10, thus amplifying the original signal. A number of investigators have assessed whether measurement of these chemokines might provide a sensitive platform for detection of infection and antigen-specific T-cell responses. In this article, we assess the potential of these new approaches. We have termed the new antigen-specific T-cell assays monokine-amplified IFN-γ release assays (MIGRAs). Overall, it seems likely that improvements in the detection threshold could be made by analysis of antigen-triggered chemokines and potentially of other molecules in the future, although whether MIGRAs will provide additional clinical utility still remains to be determined.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Monokines / analysis
  • Monokines / genetics*
  • Monokines / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / physiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / genetics
  • Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology

Substances

  • Monokines
  • Interferon-gamma