Reversible protein multimers, methods for their production and use

Abstract

Some aspect of this disclosure provide reversible MHC protein multimers, and methods of using such multimers in the detection and/or isolation of specific T-cells or T-cell populations. Because reversible MHC multimers can efficiently be dissociated, the time of MHC binding to T-cell receptors, and, thus, T-cell receptor-mediated T-cell activation can be minimized. The use of reversible MHC multimers as provided herein, accordingly, allows for the detection and isolation of bona fide antigen-specific CD8+ T cells without inducing activation dependent cell death, including rare, therapeutically valuable T-cells expressing T-cell receptors binding tumor antigens with high affinity. Methods for the production and use of reversible multimers are also provided.