QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kits

For human and mouse immune repertoire screening

Products

This kit has been upgraded to the QIAseq Targeted RNA-seq Panel for T-cell Receptor. We recommend starting new projects with the upgraded kits.  
QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kits are intended for molecular biology applications. These products are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.
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QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel Human TCR (96)

Cat no. / ID.   334665

Includes enzymes, buffers and TCR-alpha, TCR-beta, TCR-gamma and TCR-delta panels
€5,760.00
Must use 334792 QIAseq 24-Index TCR UDI (24) or 334805 QIAseq 96-Index TCR UDI Set A (96) to complete library construction

Features

  • Unique Molecular Indices (UMI) ensure accurate sequencing results
  • Online data analysis through GeneGlobe
  • Includes QIAseq Beads for reaction cleanup
  • Automation-friendly protocol for human or mouse samples
  • QIAseq Sample Indices ordered separately to multiplex up to 384 samples

Product Details

The QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kits use Unique Molecular Indices (UMI) with gene-specific primers to target specific RNAs for NGS sequencing. Each unique panel is carefully designed and laboratory-verified for sequencing performance with a UMI-aware alignment software for maximum sequencing performance and accurate results. The Human and Mouse T-cell Receptors Panel is used for sequencing the V(D)J region of the alpha, beta, delta and gamma genes, including the CDR3 regions. Online analysis through the  GeneGlobe Data Analysis Center provides key sequencing QC metrics, as well as the frequency and identity of each clonotype sequenced.

This kit has been upgraded to the QIAseq Targeted RNA-seq Panel for T-cell Receptor. We recommend starting new projects with the upgraded kits.  

Performance

Comprehensive view of the T-cell immune repertoire
The heatmaps allow for easy identification of enriched clonotypes across the sample.  This figure shows the major clonotype of the Jurkat cell, as well as the diversity of the PBMC background. The data analysis included with the purchase of the QIAseq Immune Repertoire T-cell receptor panels includes an online portal that seamlessly integrates with Illumina BaseSpace and provides primary read mapping, UMI demultiplexing and reports on sequencing performance, TCR chain usage, CDR3 peptide sequence and length distributions, together with rarefaction and V/D/J usage heat maps.
Sensitive to at least 0.01%
RNA from Jurkat cells was spiked into RNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; Precision Medicine) at 10%, 1%, 0.1% and 0.01% and used to make an RNA-seq library. Table 1 shows the number of raw reads and the demultiplexed unique captures (UMIs) per Jurkat TCR-alpha and TCR-beta clonotype. Even when present at only 0.01%, the Jurkat RNA is readily quantifiably identified. For data analysis, UMIs and Raw Reads are used to ensure high precision around each clonotype sequence identified.
Table1. Quantifiable Jurkat RNA, even at low levels
Chain % Jurkat cells Rank Reads UMIs
TCR-alpha 10
1
751,749
107,150
1 1
146,959

20,692
0.1 1
10,708

1,742
0.01 10
1,306

217
TCR-beta 10 1 383,594

40,943
1 1 5,920

7,541
0.1 2
5,401

620
0.01 61
457
60

Principle

By using UMIs, the QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kit Panel eliminates PCR duplicates and minimizes artifacts that may arise during the library preparation process or during the sequencing run. This ensures sensitive, accurate and unbiased quantification of the number of TCR transcripts captured and sequenced.
The QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kit relies on a highly efficient, TCR-specific cDNA synthesis reaction, ligation of sample index adapters containing UMIs and TCR gene-specific primer enrichment for sensitive TCR clonotype and diversity assessment. Each kit contains species-specific TCR reverse transcriptase and enrichment panel primers, together with QIAseq reaction cleanup beads and library reagents. The QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kit is designed to enrich TCR α, β, γ and σ subunits using 10–1000 ng RNA from human or mouse samples.

Procedure

The QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library Kit relies on a highly efficient, TCR-specific cDNA synthesis, TCR gene-specific primer enrichment and molecular indexing for accurate and sensitive TCR clonotype and diversity assessment (see figure " QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA Library workflow"). TCR reverse transcriptase and enrichment panel primers are provided, together with library reagents.

cDNA synthesis

RNA samples are first reverse transcribed into cDNA with TCR-specific RT primers. Subsequently, second-strand synthesis occurs, which generates double-stranded cDNA (ds-cDNA). This ds-cDNA is then end-repaired and A-tailed in a single-tube protocol.

UMI assignment

Prior to target enrichment and library amplification, each original cDNA molecule is assigned a UMI by ligating an adapter containing a 12-base fully random sequence (i.e., the UMI) to the ds-cDNA. Statistically, this process provides 4^12 possible indices per adapter, and each DNA molecule in the sample receives a unique UMI sequence. In addition, this ligated adapter also contains the first sample index.

Target enrichment and final library construction

Following UMI assignment, target enrichment is performed to ensure that TCR cDNA molecules are sufficiently enriched in the sequenced library. For enrichment, ligated cDNA molecules are subjected to targeted PCR using one TCR constant-region-specific primer and one universal primer complementary to the adapter. A universal PCR is ultimately carried out to amplify the library and introduce platform-specific adapter sequences, as well as additional sample indices.

Applications

This kit provides a solution for immune repertoire sequencing from RNA.

Supporting data and figures

Resources

Safety Data Sheets (1)
Download Safety Data Sheets for QIAGEN product components.
Certificates of Analysis (1)
User Manuals (1)

Publications

PD-1 and TIGIT coexpression identifies a circulating CD8 T cell subset predictive of response to anti-PD-1 therapy.
Simon S; Voillet V; Vignard V; Wu Z; Dabrowski C; Jouand N; Beauvais T; Khammari A; Braudeau C; Josien R; Adotevi O; Laheurte C; Aubin F; Nardin C; Rulli S; Gottardo R; Ramchurren N; Cheever M; Fling SP; Church CD; Nghiem P; Dreno B; Riddell SR; Labarriere N;
J Immunother Cancer; 2020; 8 (2) 2020 Nov PMID:33188038
TCR Analyses of Two Vast and Shared Melanoma Antigen-Specific T Cell Repertoires: Common and Specific Features.
Simon S; Wu Z; Cruard J; Vignard V; Fortun A; Khammari A; Dreno B; Lang F; Rulli SJ; Labarriere N;
Front Immunol; 2018; 9:1962 2018 Aug 30 PMID:30214446
Diagnosing Viral Infections Through T-Cell Receptor Sequencing of Activated CD8+ T Cells.
Vujkovic A; Ha M; de Block T; van Petersen L; Brosius I; Theunissen C; van Ierssel SH; Bartholomeus E; Adriaensen W; Vanham G; Elias G; Van Damme P; Van Tendeloo V; Beutels P; van Frankenhuijsen M; Vlieghe E; Ogunjimi B; Laukens K; Meysman P; Vercauteren K;
J Infect Dis; 2024; 229 (2):507-516 2024 Feb 14 PMID:37787611
Evidence of premature lymphocyte aging in people with low anti-spike antibody levels after BNT162b2 vaccination.
Huang Y; Shin JE; Xu AM; Yao C; Joung S; Wu M; Zhang R; Shin B; Foley J; Mahov SB; Modes ME; Ebinger JE; Driver M; Braun JG; Jefferies CA; Parimon T; Hayes C; Sobhani K; Merchant A; Gharib SA; Jordan SC; Cheng S; Goodridge HS; Chen P;
iScience; 2022; 25 (10):105209 2022 Sep 26 PMID:36188190
Preexisting memory CD4 T cells in naïve individuals confer robust immunity upon hepatitis B vaccination.
Elias G; Meysman P; Bartholomeus E; De Neuter N; Keersmaekers N; Suls A; Jansens H; Souquette A; De Reu H; Emonds MP; Smits E; Lion E; Thomas PG; Mortier G; Van Damme P; Beutels P; Laukens K; Van Tendeloo V; Ogunjimi B;
Elife; 2022; 11 2022 Jan 25 PMID:35074048

FAQ

What are the major differences between QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit and previous QIAseq Immune Repertoire RNA library kit?
The new QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel has several improvements. First, it was optimized to start with lower amounts of sample. The UMI used in this kit is longer, so that it can accommodate more T-cell clonotypes without risk of UMI collision. This is necessary when working with samples that have high amounts of T-cells. Lastly, an improvement in library design allows the kit to handle low diversity samples, but still obtain high sequencing Quality scores.
FAQ-3999
Do you expect BCR panels with the QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit technology to be available in the coming future?
Currently, QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit technology is only applicable to TCR applications. A BCR kit may be released in the future.
FAQ-4009
Have you tested the panels at very low input such as 10 pg input? What is the expected performance at lower input.
Yes, we can generate library with very low input PBMC or purified T cells RNA, though we don’t recommend that as the quality of very low concentration RNA sample is hard to be determined and it is difficult to troubleshoot if library generation failed. If you want to test lower than the recommended input, please verify the performance with your own test. It is better to use that very low input from limited cells. Otherwise, the very low input RNA from large population of cell will lose their representation.
FAQ-4008
What software do you use to analyze data?
There are two options, the QIAGEN GeneGlobe QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR Kit Pipeline or the CLC Genomics Workbench TCR plug-in.
FAQ-4004
Does QIAGEN have validated automation script for instrument like Hamilton NGS STAR?
QIAseq Targeted RNA TCR kit has no validated automation script for Hamilton NGS STAR for now. As we have other product line that works in similar workflow, it is possible to modify them for TCR kit. Please contact our tech support team to discuss the possibility.
FAQ-4007
What is the lowest amount of RNA input I can use?
We recommend using 200 pg as it is usually a level that can be quantified, but it can work on lower input T cell RNAs or several T cells with direct cell lysis.
FAQ-4002
Is this workflow compatible with sequencers other than those from Illumina?
It is for Illumina sequencer only or any other sequencer that can support Illumina library structure or can convert Illumina sequencer library to their own sequencer.
FAQ-4001
What is the best sample QC method to use for the QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit workflow?
RNA sample quality can be checked using the QIAxcel, Agilent Bioanalyzer, or Agilent TapeStation. The high-quality RNA provides full length TCR for full clonotype information identification and more sensitive clonotype detection. If FFPE RNA is used with QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit, the DV600 is strongly recommended for determining the useful RNA signal from FFPE RNA sample. Quantification based on mass calculations (OD, NanoDrop) cannot reliably measure the amplifiable amounts of RNA that are important for a multiplex PCR-based targeted enrichment NGS workflow, such as with the QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR kit.
FAQ-4006
Why do we recommend long reads kit even you don’t report full length TCR information?
The 500 cycles or 600 cycles kit is recommended as it will reduce the ambiguous V gene call.
FAQ-4003
Can libraries from different product line be mixed and run together in the same run?
Yes. We removed the custom read 1 primer required in the Illumina sequencing process, which means users are now free to mix and match QIAseq Targeted RNA Panel TCR libraries with other Illumina instrument compatible libraries in the same run, even non-QIAseq ones. The long reads kit is recommended such as 500 cycles and 600 cycles kit, so it can cover the needs for different libraries.
FAQ-4005