INCORPORATION OF CELLS INTO AN ELISA SYSTEM ENHANCES ANTIGEN-DRIVEN LYMPHOKINE DETECTION

The ability to measure successfully the levels of Th-1 or Th-2 cytokin es during an in vitro antigen-driven, polyclonal T-cell response has p roven to be more difficult than expected. Here we describe the develop ment of a highly sensitive cell-based ELISA (celELISA) technique for t he detection of murine Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines. The celELISA combines the quantification aspects of the conventional sandwich ELISA with the sensitivity of the ELISPOT assay. The celELISA was particularly usefu l for the improved detection of IL-2, IL-4, and to a lessor extent, IF N-gamma. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.