Compositions and Methods for the Detection of Human T Cell Receptor Variable Family Gene Expression

Abstract

Compositions and methods for the assessment of T cell receptor variable subunits. The present invention provides nucleotide sequences for the evaluation of the expression of TCRV families. These nucleotides sequences were obtained through a bioinformatic investigation of the nucleotide sequences for TCRVaα and TCRVβ families. The nucleotide sequences of the present invention uniquely recognize each and every subfamily and allelic member of a particular TCRV family, while at the same time not recognizing the members of any other TCRV family. This unique expression recognition profile of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention provides great utility for the assessment of TCR families in a clinical setting, such as through polymerase chain reactions, gene chip technology, and direct electrophoretic measurement of DNA or RNA.

1 . A method of assessing the expression of mRNA for T cell receptor variable subunit β, comprising the steps of:
 extracting mRNA from T cells;   performing a polymerase chain reaction using a reaction mixture that includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 33 through 55 and said mRNA; and   measuring the product of said polymerase chain reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said measuring occurs by gel electrophoresis or fluorescent detection. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymerase chain reaction is a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the progress of said reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is assessed in real time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said reaction mixture further includes deoxynucleotide triphosphates. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said reaction mixture further includes SEQ ID NO. 57. 
     
     
         7 . A method of assessing the expression of T cell receptor variable subunit β genes, comprising measuring expression of said genes using a gene chip comprising SEQ ID NOs: 33 through 55.