Comparison of chemiluminescent assays and colorimetric ELISAs for quantification of murine IL-12, human IL-4 and murine IL-4: chemiluminescent substrates provide markedly enhanced sensitivity

Many available ELISAs lack the sensitivity required to reliably quantify le vels of cytokines released in response to antigenic stimulation. In an effo rt to increase sensitivity of these assays, we compare the sensitivity of s tandard colorimetric ELISAs and corresponding chemiluminescent assays for t hree cytokines which are usually produced in very low quantities: mouse IL- 12 p70, human IL-4 and mouse IL-4. Use of a chemiluminescent substrate enha nced the sensitivity of these assays 12-29-fold as compared to current colo rimetric ELISAs. Accompanying this increase in sensitivity was an increase in dynamic range, a decrease in the time required to obtain maximum sensiti vity and a decrease in the concentration of reagents required. These findin gs are of particular interest to those wanting to quantitate levels of any cytokine which is typically produced in low levels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.