Development and validation of a multiplex microsphere-based assay for detection of domestic cat (Felis catus) cytokines

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2011 Mar;18(3):387-92. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00289-10. Epub 2011 Jan 5.

Abstract

Cytokines are essential signaling molecules that mediate the innate immune response, and therefore their presence can be of diagnostic, prognostic, and pathogenic significance. Microsphere-based immunoassays allow rapid and accurate evaluation of cytokine levels in several species, including humans, dogs, and mice; however, technology to evaluate domestic cat (Felis catus) cytokines has been limited to single-analyte enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Microsphere-based immunoassays provide an attractive alternative technology for detecting and quantifying multiple analytes in a single assay using as little as 50 μl of sample. We describe the development and validation of a microsphere-based assay for three commonly analyzed domestic cat cytokines (gamma interferon, interleukin-10, and interleukin-12/interleukin-23 p40) using reagents from commercially available ELISAs. The assay was optimized for capture and detection antibody concentrations, streptavidin-phycoerythrin concentration, and number of microspheres. The validated lower and upper quantitation limits were 31 and 1,000 pg/ml for gamma interferon, 63 and 2,000 pg/ml for interleukin-10, and 39 and 625 pg/ml for interleukin-12/interleukin-23 p40. Cytokine concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants were measured, and results obtained by the microsphere assay were correlated with values obtained with commercially available ELISA kits. This technology is a convenient and reproducible assay to evaluate domestic cat cytokine responses elicited by a variety of diseases.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / analysis*
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-12 / analysis*
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Microspheres*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interferon-gamma