TY - JOUR T1 - Additional TCRV beta primers and minor method modifications improve detection of clonal T-cell populations by RT-PCR. JF - Molecular Pathology JO - Mol Pathol SP - 53 LP - 55 DO - 10.1136/mp.50.1.53 VL - 50 IS - 1 AU - C Lynas AU - D Howe Y1 - 1997/02/01 UR - http://mp.bmj.com/content/50/1/53.abstract N2 - The TCRV beta RT-PCR method for detection of clonal populations of T cells which we described previously could not detect clones that used certain variable (V) beta region families. V beta 2, 4, 8.3, and 18 had insufficient homology with the original consensus V region primer. Two new primers have been designed which work well and are able to amplify from V beta families previously undetectable by this RT-PCR. In addition, minor alterations to the cDNA synthesis and gel analysis of the PCR products make the results even easier to interpret. All the Diversity/Joining (D/J) region primer combinations except for D2/J2 have been omitted, and terminating the reverse transcription by heating prior to PCR greatly improves amplification with these primers. Use of 8% and/or 10% polyacrylamide gels increases clarity. Inclusion of the modifications described will reduce false reporting of patients as having a polyclonal T-cell population. ER -