Immunoprofiles

Immunoprofiles refer to characterizations of immune components within a biological sample, including the repertoire and state of immune cells, the expression of cytokines and chemokines, antigen-presenting markers, and the spatial arrangement of immune elements. They provide a snapshot of immune activity in tissues such as tumors, inflamed tissues, blood, or transplanted organs, and can be used to assess immune readiness, tolerance, or suppression.

Profiling uses flow cytometry and mass cytometry to quantify cell populations; single-cell RNA sequencing to measure gene expression; multiplex immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and imaging mass cytometry for spatial localization; spatial transcriptomics; and bulk assays with computational deconvolution to infer cell types from mixed samples. Analyses employ clustering, cell-type annotation, and integration of multimodal data.

Immunoprofiles are used in oncology to predict response to immunotherapies, guide treatment strategies, monitor disease, and characterize the tumor microenvironment. In autoimmune disease, infections, and transplantation, profiling informs activity, tolerance, and risk stratification. Immunoprofiles also support vaccine research by revealing immune correlates of protection.

Challenges include sample quality and heterogeneity, temporal dynamics, cross-platform standardization, batch effects, and the need for robust bioinformatic pipelines. Costs and accessibility vary, and clinical translation requires validated biomarkers and clear interpretation.