Houtermans, Sophie (2026) Enhancing T Cell Immunity Using Cytokines. Master's Research Project 2, Biomedical Sciences.
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Abstract
Ageing is associated with reduced immune function, including impaired responses to novel antigens and a decline in naïve T cell numbers, highlighting the need for strategies that enhance antigen-specific T cell responses. This study therefore investigated whether cytokine supplementation could enhance antigen-specific T cell responses in an in vitro priming system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 Spike, PRAME or EGFP peptides in the presence or absence of a cytokine cocktail consisting of FLT3L, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-7 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Antigen-specific responses were assessed using IFN-γ ELISpot. Cytokine supplementation consistently enhanced IFN-γ responses following antigen stimulation, with the strongest responses observed in cultures receiving both antigen and cytokines. Enhanced responses were observed against both SARS-CoV-2 Spike and PRAME. Similar effects were also observed in an enriched naïve T cell priming system, although contributions from residual memory T cells cannot be completely excluded. Cytokine withdrawal experiments identified IL-1β as an important contributor in certain donors, while kinetic analyses demonstrated that IL-7 exerted the strongest influence on IFN-γ responses over time. Elevated background IFN-γ responses were observed in cytokine-stimulated cultures, particularly in the presence of PGE2. These findings demonstrate that cytokine supplementation can substantially enhance antigen-specific T cell responses in vitro and may represent a useful strategy for improving responses to newly encountered antigens, particularly in settings where T cell responses are impaired.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Research Project 2) |
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| Supervisor name: | Baarle, D. van and Bhatt, D. |
| Degree programme: | Biomedical Sciences |
| Thesis type: | Master's Research Project 2 |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2026 07:31 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2026 07:31 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/37457 |
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