Our ex vivo T cell activation model can specifically be used for validation of your target in a smaller set up. In the ex vivo model, autoreactive primary cells from secondary lymphoid organs from rats with induced autoimmunity, i.e. arthritis, are isolated and analysed ex vivo in cell cultures. The immunological effects on autoreactive T cells are studied by stimulation with concanavalin A in presence of test item.

The ex vivo model enables studies of the immune system without concerns of bioavailability and formulation of the test item under investigation. In this model it is possible to control analysed cells and the concentration of the compounds. Thus, this method represents an efficient way to improve the medicinal chemistry aspects of the new drugs and ensures that the most promising drugs are selected for validation in animal models of autoimmunity.

The readout from the ex vivo system is analysis of the influence of test item on cytokines, chemokines and other biomarkers by using ELISA, Luminex or Flow cytometry.

We have validated 55 commercially available standard therapies targeting inflammation with the possibility to match the response of your test compound to those drugs already on the market.

This model also allows for adoptive transfer of the cells after incubation with test item for direct studies on the effect on arthritogenicity of cells – Adoptive T cell transfer in rats.