This eZKine CD8 Activation 1 Whole Blood Intracellular Cytokine Kit is designed to rapidly identify cytokine producing T lymphocytes of the CD8+ T cell lineage after stimulation of whole peripheral blood samples. Stimulation of whole blood in the presence of Protein Transport Inhibitor Cocktail (cat. 00-4980, not included) is followed by red blood cell lysis and fixation in a single step and subsequent permeabilization. Samples are then ready to stain with the CD8 Activation 1 cocktail and concentration-matched Isotype Control cocktail.

CD8+ T cells, or cytotoxic T lymphocytes, are immune cells that are responsible for the detection and clearance of virally or bacterically infected host cells. Upon recognition of antigen displayed on the surface of infected cells, activated CD8+ T cells upregulate markers of early activation such as CD69 and FAS ligand, followed by the release of granules containing granzymes and perforin as well as secretion of cytokines such as IFN gamma and TNF alpha. Granzymes and perforin act in concert to directly lyse infected target cells, while cytokines have paracrine effects including the recruitment and activation of macrophages, lymphocytes, and PMNs. IFN gamma is important for the upregulation of MHC class I and II on nearby cells as well as promoting Th1 cell differentiation.

Reactivity/Species
Human

Reported Application
Intracellular Staining Followed by Flow Cytometric Analysis