What is an LTT Assay?
A Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT) is also called a lymphocyte proliferation test. This test measures the amount of reactivity (or proliferation) of immune cells called lymphocytes, after they have been exposed to a particular challenge (such as a type of metal or a kind of drug). Lymphocytes are central cells of our immune systems that react to a threat in several ways. One way they do this is to expand in number. People with a sensitivity to a particular metal will have lymphocytes that think the metal is a threat and will mount a defense. This causes inflammation. How is the metal-LTT test conducted? 1. A blood draw is necessary to collect the lymphocytes and other important immune cells (like monocytes). 2. The important types of immune cells (PBMCs) are isolated from the blood and collected. 3. This collected fraction of immune cells (containing lymphocytes) is divided up in a culture dish and each part is exposed to a different metal. 4. These l ymphocytes are cultured for a
